PINE LEVEL -- Firefighters from at least five surrounding departments were expected to come to the town's fire station on Tuesday to provide mutual aid to their colleagues mourning the loss of their chief. Crocker died suddenly Sunday at his home in Clayton. He was 32.

A somber gathering of Crocker’s fellow firefighters, some with whom he volunteered for years, wore expressions of shock and grief Monday as they began to process the death of their friend. Crocker had served on his hometown’s all-volunteer fire department for a decade and became its chief seven months ago. He had recently been re-elected to serve in that role for a second term that would have begun July 1.

“It’s a sad occasion,” said Eddie Lawhorn, assistant fire chief in Pine Level. “We’ve lost a family member. We’ve lost one of our brothers. When you lose a family member to a tragic situation, it’s hard.”

Lawhorn described Crocker as a “very likeable, very outgoing” man who served as a role model for younger firefighters. In addition to his position as chief in Pine Level, Crocker also worked as a career firefighter in Raleigh and taught at the fire academy at Johnston Community College.

“He tried to help train all the young guys,” Lawhorn said. “Anyone willing to learn, he was willing to help.”

The cause of Crocker’s death remains unknown. An autopsy was under way earlier this week in Chapel Hill to determine whether his death resulted from any ill effects of being in the line of duty. Matt Chestnut, the county’s fire marshal, said his friend had responded to a fire in Selma on Saturday as well as several EMS calls.

Authorities learned of Crocker’s death when Crocker’s fiancé, Star Webster, called 9-1-1 after she found him unresponsive in their home on Buchanan Lane. Clayton Police Capt. Jon Gerrell said paramedics arrived on the scene at 8 a.m. as Webster was performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation on Crocker.

Gerrell said Crocker had arrived home from work only two hours before he died. Crocker died at WakeMed in Raleigh.

Lt. Michael Furr of the Raleigh Fire Department said Crocker was considered a “rarity” among firefighters. Crocker joined that department in October 2002. Furr said Crocker worked his way up to the rank of senior firefighter and often lent a hand to new trainees.

“George would go the extra mile in anything he did,” Furr said. “Our guys are taught from the day they hit the streets out of the academy that they constantly have to prove themselves to earn their place here, so to speak. Once George’s newness wore off and he gained some tenure, he didn’t stop doing that.”

Furr said Crocker preferred to remain out of the limelight and never bragged about his accomplishments. “George was never one to stick his neck out and grab the glory or fame,” he said. “He did his job and he did it very well.”

Crocker also worked at Archer Lodge Fire Department for one year. But his ties never ended with Archer Lodge after he left the department. Crocker remained close to many of the firefighters, who remember their friend as one of the best in the business, said Archer Lodge Fire Chief Pete Barnes.

“He had a personality that would make you like him right from the beginning,” he said. “That was the way George was. He was dedicated.”

A funeral is scheduled for 2 p.m. today (Wednesday) in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium at Johnston Community College.