SCC Student Participated in Search for Missing Cobden Man

06/25/09

COBDEN - As a nursing student and softball player at Shawnee Community College, Kimie Smith has a lot of responsibility. But earlier this week her biggest concern was finding a 92-year-old Union County man who was reported missing. Besides being a member of the 2008 Cobden High School softball team that won a state championship, Smith is also a member of the Cobden Volunteer Fire Department. As part of her duty Tuesday, she helped scour hundreds of acres for Raymond Baggott of Cobden, who had been reported missing.

Baggott was found dead at about 9:30 a.m. Wednesday in an open field nearly two miles from his home, according to reports. For Smith it was the second time she participated in such a search that turned out tragic.

"Sometimes the situation turns out very sad like this one," Smith said. "Other times, we are overjoyed when everything turns out good. These are the ups and downs of being on the fire department."

Smith joined the fire department in 2006 at the age of 16 Smith joined because she looked up to her father, a volunteer firefighter since 1990.

Dr. Larry Peterson, president of Shawnee Community College, praised Smith for her dedication to the fire department. "Dedication and commitment to our fellow man is one of the greatest lessons we all can learn," Peterson said. "I am very proud that Kimie is learning this lesson so early in life."

Smith said she would transfer to Southern Illinois University Carbondale after she graduates from Shawnee. She hopes to enroll in the physician assistants program and minor in pediatrics at the university.