BETHEL -- “A big brawn guy, with a big brawn smile and a big brawn heart.” That's how Mark Pennell, Chief of the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department, described Darryl Yates.

The Bethel community continues to mourn as Yates, a town constable, died unexpectedly last Wednesday at the age of 53.

According to Town of Bethel Supervisor Daniel Sturm, Yates was a full-time constable in the town for somewhere between eight and 10 years.

“As a Bethel Constable, every time there was a fire or ambulance call, he always answered,” said Sturm. “Darryl was very close with first responders. He was well-liked. And it's really devastating because he was so young. He always seemed like such a good kid with a big heart and he did such a good job. The outpouring of support is well-deserved.”

Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Department Assistant Chief Ozzie Gonzalez Jr. added that, “Darryl was a true professional, never compromised his values. He will be missed.”

Yates was known for taking great pride in his job.

Pennell said one time Yates was on patrol across from the Kauneonga Lake Fire Department, by the restaurants, and there was a car in one of the no parking zones.

As Yates proceeded to write a ticket, the vehicle owner came out of the restaurant and began verbally chastising him. The patron, who identified themselves as a non-local, told Yates that he was probably very proud to write a ticket to someone who was from out of town.

According to Pennell, Yates' response was, “No, I take pride in being a police officer in the Town of Bethel. Writing the ticket is just part of my job.”

Another time Pennell was driving and saw Yates detailing his patrol car. He stopped and told Yates that he must take pride in taking care of that car. And similar to the answer given to the patron, Yates told Pennell, “I take pride in being a police officer, taking care of the car is just part of the job.”

John Panos, now a Sullivan County Sheriff's deputy, was Yates' neighbor and co-worker in the Town of Bethel from 2007-2015. They worked together on the town's police boat, becoming good friends in the process. They were honored by the town after saving the life of a man in distress on White Lake in 2011.

While on the patrol boat one day, Panos saw that the man was in trouble and Yates perfectly maneuvered the boat into position so that Panos was able to pull them onto the boat and to safety.

Reflecting on his friend, Panos said, “He was a top notch guy. I looked up to him. He was a very dedicated police officer who touched many lives. I'm blessed and thankful that I had the opportunity to learn from him and call him a friend.”

White Lake Fire Company First Assistant Chief Brendon Cunningham said September 16, 2020 will be a day their company won't soon forget.

“Our town lost a very special man who brought security to our community!” said Cunningham. “He was more than a Town of Bethel Constable, he was a friend and role model to so many! Darryl was always there when I called whether we needed help on a fire scene, help doing traffic control while paving with the highway department, or just to talk about town issues! He was very passionate in his work and community! Bethel 75 will forever be remembered as our friend Darryl Yates. Whether car 75 was sitting in the rock cut or had a car pulled over in White Lake I would always beep the horn and no matter what Darryl would wave back with a smile.”

Cunningham added that Yates was known by many for his time on the town police boat, which Cunningham called a welcome sight when he and his wife bought their own boat.

“Just like the roads he was there to make sure the water was safe as well,” Cunningham said. “Our community is left with a very large hole and I am still in shock that this is even real. The last 10 years I have been the plow truck driver past Darryl's house and he would always have the snow cleared from his driveways (the whole road) so I would make sure to not fill it back in. Darryl was always very appreciative. This winter will certainly be different.

“Darryl will forever be remembered as the man that came to every birthday parade we did in White Lake for the children (including my son) in a crazy pandemic to give them something to remember or the very nice policeman that stopped at the iced tea stand that made those children's week,” Cunningham said.

“All of us at the White Lake Fire Company and the Bethel Highway Department will never forget Bethel 75 Darryl Yates and we will keep his family and friends in our thoughts and prayers! Rest easy my friend, we will take it from here!”