On Monday, June 6, 1955, at 7:28 pm, the Waycross Fire Department suffered a tragic loss. At the intersection of Tebeau Street and Brunswick Avenue, while responding to a call to 1210 Fair Street, the fire engine that Firefighter Emmet J. Cook was on was hit by Atlantic Coastline Passenger Train #17. Emmet was taken to the Ware County Hospital. He died 2 hours and 22 minutes after the accident. He was riding on the rear of the firetruck.

Firefighter Cook was born and raised in Chattahoochee County, Georgia. He worked with the Columbus Fire Department before becoming a member of the Waycross Fire Department. He had been a member of the Waycross Fire Department for 4 years. Firefighter Emmet Cook was 47 years old. He was laid to rest in Oakland Cemetery.