Earnest “Moe” McDuffie Sr. was born on his parents’ front porch on March 21, 1966, with the assistance of a police officer from Huntington Station, New York. Moe was destined to work in public service, whether as a police officer or as a firefighter. Moe was a true servant, both in his community here in Hinesville and an active member and volunteer at his local church.

Moe McDuffie started his fire service and spent several years at Huntington Manor Fire Department, New York, as a volunteer firefighter. In July 2001, he began his 17-year career with Hinesville Fire Department, where he progressed through the rank of engineer. In 2010, he became lieutenant/deputy fire marshal and was promoted to captain/fire marshal in 2013, becoming the first African American fire marshal/chief fire investigator.

Moe was named Employee of the Year in 2006 and 2012. In 2010, he became a certified emergency medical technician, a mandated police officer, and an arson investigator. He also served as the city’s safety coordinator for the Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS). He was a respected member of several prestigious organizations, including the International Association of Arson Investigators, Georgia Public Safety Fire Investigators Association, Georgia Fire Investigators Association, State Local Fire Marshal Association, and the Georgia State Fire Marshal Association.

On February 20, 2018, at approximately 6:00 p.m., while doing his physical training, Moe went into cardiac arrest. Moe is survived by his wife, Angela; two sons, Earnest McDuffie Jr. of Nellis Air Force Base and Edward McDuffie of Scotts Air Force Base; one daughter, Alyssa McDuffie; two brothers, James and William McDuffie; three sisters, Linda Perine, Brenda Wooten, and Cindy Roberson; and one grandchild, Campbell; along with a host of other family, relatives, and friends. Moe is deeply missed by his fire family at Hinesville Fire, his community, and most of all his wife of 28 years and his three children.