By James Bennett
The Daily Herald
COLUMBIA, Tenn. — No one would would have blamed Tommy Hemphill if he retired after undergoing surgery for a brain tumor.
The Columbia fire chief, 56, has served his hometown for nearly 30 years, rising to the top position after a distinguished career in the field. He has nothing to prove, as he’s been reminded repeatedly, to his peers, his colleagues or the citizens of Columbia.
Few are more beloved around southern Middle Tennessee than Hemphill for his service, civic involvement, positive attitude and church activity. Friends and co-workers say he takes a smile and words of encouragement wherever he goes.
After surgery to remove a golf-ball sized tumor from left side of his brain May 21, Hemphill and his wife of 34 years, Jacque, spent time together at the lake and home. They admitted retirement crossed their minds.
After all, the prospect of leaving a high-risk job such as emergency rescue and firefighting would relieve stress at a time when the chief needs all of his strength. And Jacque knows about cancer. She fought off breast cancer eight years ago.
“The best thing for anyone’s recovery is to stay engaged in something,” Jacque said.
The chief said, “I get my energy from serving others. It gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment.”
After two weeks of consideration, they knew stepping aside was not a realistic possibility. Relying on their faith in God and relishing support from family and friends, Hemphill decided to come back with the full blessing of his wife and daughter.
“The thing that has helped me has been the community,” Hemphill said. “Every group I have been involved in, from West 7th Street Church of Christ, to Kiwanis, to everywhere, I am getting constant positive feedback.
“My doctor tells me, ‘Your body follows your mind.’ I agree. If you keep a positive outlook, your body will have a positive outlook. I have been staying positive, and it has helped me stay strong.”
Being away confirmed Hemphill’s feelings: He loves his job, his team at the office, the city and people he serves. He relishes the opportunity to make the Columbia Fire Department better, even coming off a year when it was chosen by one independent survey as the best in Tennessee.
“This isn’t just a job, it’s a ministry,” Hemphill said. “I can touch the lives of so many people.”
Hemphill remembered when he interviewed with former Fire Chief Wayne Hickman for his job. During the civil service interview, Hemphill told Hickman, “No disrespect, sir, but one day, I am going to have your job.”
Hickman responded, “No disrespect taken, son. You work hard, and you are going to have opportunities.”
The Mt. Pleasant resident rose to the fire chief’s job March 23 after the retirement of Lee Bergeron, who served for five years in the position.
Less than three months into his new assignment, Hemphill was driving home and blacked out at the wheel.
When he woke up, Hemphill learned he was in an accident and was being transported to Maury Regional Medical Center. He eventually was flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where doctors discovered he had a brain tumor.
The urgent, sobering news forced him to take a leave of absence. He spent an emotional week thanking Columbia firefighters for their support before his doctors made about a 6-inch insert into his skull, peeled back the scalp and removed the tumor.
“The wreck caused me to pass out and revealed my problem,” Hemphill said. “We’re in the business of fixing things at the fire department. I was just on the other end of it. My methodology is: What’s wrong? Let’s fix it. There’s no sense in worrying about it.
“Everyone keeps saying that I’ve looked good through this whole thing. And I do not like sitting around, telling anyone I feel sick or weak. What’s the sense of doing that? Other than my wife, who wants to hear that?”
The surgery was tough mentally and physically, Hemphill said, but he was not scared or worried about his recovery.
“Going through it, I came out feeling very confident,” Hemphii said. “Doctors have told me I have done exceptionally well. Again, I go back to the inspiration of people around me and that God is going to take care of me. I feel strong and positive.”
Jacque said, “Going through it myself was easier than being on the other side. When you go through it, you know how you’re feeling. When you’re taking care of someone, you don’t know. So I might overdo it on taking care of him.”
Hemphill returned home and started outpatient treatment, including six weeks of chemotherapy treatments at a Vanderbilt office in Spring Hill.
In the meantime, he was itching to return to work. Even though his doctors advised him to stay away for three months, Hemphill came back into the office within three weeks. He cannot drive for another three months in wake of the accident under state law.
“I’m not a good patient around the house. My wife tells me over and over and over again to rest,” Hemphill said. “I tell her, ‘I will. I will.’ My wife takes care of me like a jewel. It’s hard for me to do nothing. I like to get things done. It’s just my nature.”
Little by little, as his strength and endurance increased, he slid back into the chief’s chair on almost a full-time basis. Retirement is the last thing on Hemphill’s mind now.
“We’re always going to be positive,” Jacque said. “We are going forward, and he’s doing very well. We’re going to keep the faith.”
The Hemphills would not reveal the chief’s exact diagnosis. They want to maintain some privacy.
“I am not going to say where that stands. Even if I had only six months to live, it would not matter. It would not change my approach.”
“If I said anything about that, my diagnosis, it would just bring more questions and curiosity,” Hemphill said.
Hemphill said he thought he would be more emotional through his battle. He thought he would feel weak and feel sorry for himself occasionally.
“I thought I would be really emotional through all of this, and I have not been,” he said. “I attribute that to faith and prayers. People around me are constantly praying for me. They’re praying for a good journey through all of this.”
Hemphill said city officials, including City Manager Tony Massey and Mayor Dean Dickey, have been very supportive. He said that, thanks to the dedication of Assistant Chief Ty Cobb and the firefighters, he was able to step away and take care of himself.
“Assistant Chief Cobb and I work together like a team,” Hemphill said. “We work side by side like a couple of horses. It’s been inspiring to have the people around me that support me the way they have in this department. We take care of each other.”
As he reflects on what happened, Hemphill said he feels lucky to live in Columbia. And he wants everyone to know he’s back in the saddle.
“I am very proud of this department and community. I’m not going anywhere for a while. That is my plan,” he said. “The thing I have learned is this: Columbia people care about each other. If you treat people the right way, it comes back to you. I have received more than I have been given, and it makes me want to give our more.”
Jacque smiled and wiped a tear as she listened to the chief.
“People come up to us every day -- every day -- and pass along their best wishes and prayers,” Jacque said. “We do not know most of them personally. They have made this easier on me and easier on Tommy. It’s amazing what people have done for us, making us meals and mowing our yard, and what God has done for us. We are blessed. And we will never forget it.”
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(c)2015 The Daily Herald (Columbia, Tenn.)
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