Killeen Fire Chief Jerry Gardner announced Monday that he will step down at the end of the month.

Chief Gardner, who's served as Chief since 2006, said he will resign his position effective May 30 in order to focus on his health.

Before becoming Chief of Killeen Fire, Gardner served as a firefighter in Pasadena, TX for 24 years, including four years as Chief.

Assistant Killeen Fire Chief Kenneth Hawthorne will serve as Interim Fire Chief while a permanent replacement is sought. Hawthorne has served with the Killeen Fire Department for 39 years.

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