Emmett Bolyard

Emmett Bolyard, the longest-serving volunteer with the Bolivar Fire Department, died Feb. 10, 2026. Bolyard began his service to the department in 1964, later hired as a career firefighter and eventually promoted to captain in 1970. He was promoted to assistant chief in 1994 and then retired in February 2001. However, he remained an active volunteer following his retirement until his final call in June 2025. In total, Bolyard gave 62 years of service to the Bolivar Fire Department. He is the father of BFD’s Lt. B.J. Bolyard and grandfather of Engineer Tanner Parker and Volunteer Firefighter Abigail Parker.