The Mikell Byrd family with Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper

A fallen volunteer firefighter was honored posthumously Monday night by the Vidalia City Council as the September Sweet Onion City.

Jamie Byrd, along with her family, accepted the award and recognition in honor of her husband Mikell from Vidalia Mayor Doug Roper.

Mikell Byrd passed away on August 15 after a courageous battle with cancer.

“Mikell had a heart for service,” Mayor Roper explained. “He was a First Responder and a volunteer with the Toombs County Fire Department and the Vidalia Fire Department. But as much as he loved the city, he loved his family more. Even when he was going through chemo, he never complained; he never missed a meeting. He loved this community, and if he were here right now, he’d ask, ‘Isn’t there someone who deserves this honor more than I?’ He was such an humble man.”

Jamie Byrd concurs with the mayor about the humbleness of her late husband.

“He did what he did because that’s just who he was,” Jamie said. “He was humble. Since he’s been gone, it’s like I’m finding little Easter eggs every day – a little thing here and a little thing there that reminds me of what a good man he was. But this award by far is the biggest and most special. I just wish he were here to see it.”