Submitted by his Family

James G. Shib Miller
Sesser Fire Protection District – Illinois
Classification: Volunteer
Rank: First Responder/Firefighter
Date of Death: July 27‚ 2007
Age: 43

James Shib miller was a volunteer firefighter for 22 years. He was awarded Fire Fighter of the Year for the Sesser Fire Protection District in 1992 and 2007. He assisted with department boot drives and helped in any way he could to better his community. In addition to his service with the department‚ he volunteered with Vacation Bible School and with food basket delivery. In 1993‚ he went to Prairie Du Rocher‚ Illinois‚ to aid in the sandbagging for the flood. In 2005‚ he responded with First Baptist Church to aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Shib enjoyed watching the St. Louis Cardinals; he was a loyal and enduring fan. He collected baseball cards and anything and everything that had to do with being a fireman. He especially enjoyed being with his family and spent any free time he could with them.

Here is the story of how Shib got his nickname. In junior high‚ he always wore a hat with a Chevrolet emblem on it. That led to him being called Chevy. Later‚ a song came out that included the words Shimmy Shimmy Cocoa Bop‚ Shimmy Shimmy Rock‚ and Chevy turned to Shibby by friends singing‚ Shibby Shibby Cocoa Bop‚ Shibby Shibby Rock. Then Shibby was later shortened to Shib. He even put ‘Shib 82’ on his license plate. His nickname meant a lot to him‚ mainly because it came from friends.

The Illinois General Assembly has passed a law called SHIB’S LAW that gives fire departments authority to close highways to traffic in instances where police officers or transportation officials are not present. It is now waiting on the Governor’s signature.

During Shib’s funeral‚ Brother John West said‚ Miller was a man of honor‚ kindness‚ and integrity. He loved his wife‚ Sherry‚ and two daughters‚ Misty and Jenny. He was a Christian‚ and he loved his church. One man came up to me and said‚ Jimmy Miller might just be the best Christian at the First Baptist Church.

Jimmy wanted to be a fireman since he was a little boy. He always watched his Uncle Cecil Butch Eubanks put on his fire gear to go fight fires‚ and he knew he wanted to do that too!!!!

Submitted by his Chief

James G. Miller‚ or known as SHIB to everyone who knew or worked with him was a 22 year veteran volunteer Firefighter from Sesser Fire Protection District in southern Illinois.

Shib responded to a truck fire on I-57 on July 27‚ 2007 at 4:14 in the morning. While operating at the scene‚ he was struck and killed by a Greyhound bus at the scene.

Submitted by a Friend

Jimmy was in his 22nd year of service with the Sesser Fire Protection District. Jimmy loved being a firefighter because he loved being able to help people. He would go out of his way to do whatever he could for anyone.

Jimmy was one of the St. Louis Cardinals’ biggest fans!

He was a loving father and husband. He left behind his wife Sherry and daughters Misty and Jenny.