APCO member and public safety telecommunicator Joseph Cory Thompson, 49, passed away January 24 at High Point Regional Hospital in North Carolina. Thompson was a telecommunicator for Randolph County (North Carolina) Emergency Services. His personality shined in the telecommunication room and on the radio. His work family defined him as the calm voice needed that has talked many in the community through some of the worst days of their lives.

In a Charlotte-Observer news story, colleague Kimberly Smith recounted a conversation she had with Thompson while in the hospital with his terminal illness. She said he described a call in which a person committed suicide during the call and told her: “‘I’d rather take that call 100 times before any of y’all have to,’ and he meant that.”

Thompson was preceded in death by his baby brother Brian Thompson. He was survived by son Caleb Matthew Thompson, 9, parents Donnie and Belinda Culler, brother Scott Thompson and girlfriend Lynn Smith.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Caleb Thompson for his education. Donations can be sent to: First National Bank C/O Belinda Culler savings on behalf of Caleb Thompson.