RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- If you visit the Metro Richmond Flying Squad's station in Woodland Heights, you'll find an emergency vehicle with "neighbors helping neighbors" written on the side. Chief Rick Talley believes the late District Captain Paul "Zack" Von Mille embodied that quote. "He loved the fire service," said Talley, who had known Von Mille for years as classmates at then-Lee Davis High School. "He loved being a firefighter. He loved the citizens of the city of Richmond. He never met a stranger. He'd give you the shirt off his back." The Flying Squad announced on Thursday, Oct. 22 that Von Mille had passed away after a medical emergency at the Woodland Heights station in Richmond. As part of the Flying Squad providing support on scenes, he served alongside dozens of fellow volunteer first responders on countless calls beginning in 2023. Von Mille nourished both firefighters and those affected by disaster with food and water, including animals. He also helped stabilize those in extreme temperatures. Von Mille spent his life serving as he worked as a career firefighter for Richmond and a volunteer firefighter in Hanover County. "After his retirement, he spent every available hour he could here to provide service to the firefighters of the metro region," Talley said. "They've all become my favorite memory ... just to see him serve others — and he always had a smile on his face — even in the light of any health issues he was having. He was a true servant." In fact, Talley believes he had a "servant's heart." "If you looked it up in the dictionary, Zack's picture would be there," he said. Talley says there's now a void in the department, which covers 2,000 square miles across Central Virginia. He believes, however, that Von Mille can still teach us all something. 8News asked Talley how viewers can honor Von Mille's legacy. "For the responders out there: keep showing up," he said. "Keep taking care of the citizens. Keep taking care of each other. For the everyday public: Be nice. Take care of one another. Be a giver, not a taker." Talley said Von Mille leaves behind a loving family, including a sister and a niece. "Zack, you'll be missed," Talley said. "This organization -- he made it a better place and made it a better organization. We will keep carrying on in his honor." ...read more read less