BY DAN HILDEBRAN
Union County Commissioner Jimmy Tallman was life-flighted to U.F. Health Shands last week after an explosion caused second and third-degree burns over his upper body.
Sheriff Brad Whitehead said the accident occurred at the Worthington Springs area commissioner’s business, North Florida Custom Meats.
“He has a smokehouse that’s run by propane,” said the sheriff. “What we think happened is (the light in the smoker) went out, and it filled the room up with gas. When he went to ignite it, it basically was like a bomb that exploded and burned him. My understanding is that he has second and third-degree burns.”
Whitehead added that, according to Tallman’s brother, he has been and will continue to undergo skin graft surgeries.
The sheriff also said that based on his experience with the Florida Fire Marshal, he knows that severe burns are painful.
“Probably one of the most painful things,” he said, “just with dealing with patients over the years.”
The sheriff said that Tallman’s injuries could have been worse because, at the time of the blast, he was looking away from the smoker.
Whitehead said that Tallman’s workers rendered aid and called 911. Union County Fire Rescue units were the first responders on the scene, and his deputies assisted firefighters in getting Tallman to an airstrip in Worthington Springs for a helicopter flight to Gainesville.
Whitehead said that in addition to his 16 years on the county commission, Tallman is well-known in Union County for supporting youth and sports programs.
“Just a great guy and a great community person,” the sheriff said of Tallman. “He has four kids, three boys and a girl. And they’re all, I mean, just a beautiful family.”
Before Sardis Baptist Church Pastor Paul O’Steen led commissioners in prayer for Tallman on Tuesday, September 2, board chair Channing Dobbs said he was heartbroken over his colleague.
“I’ve looked up to him for a long time,” Dobbs said. “He’s honest. He’s one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever met in my life, and he stands up for what he believes is right, even if everyone else thinks it’s wrong. If he thinks it’s right, he doesn’t bend.”
The board chair said Tallman had been a mentor to him and added that in his 16 years on the county commission, Tallman only missed one meeting, and that was due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
