Firefighter Dies in Hospital Two Days After
Collapsing
MORGANTON - Morganton
firefighter and Sheriff's Deputy Kelly Kincaid died Sunday night
at Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, surrounded by his
family, friends, and co-workers.
"He cannot be replaced," said Burke County Sheriff John T.
McDevitt. "Another will step into his job one day, but no one will
fill his shoes."
Kincaid died at 10:35 PM, McDevitt said.
The 19-year law enforcement veteran and volunteer firefighter
collapsed around 11:54 PM Friday night while attempting to fight a
fire determined to be caused by arson.
"He was lifeless for over twenty minutes before a pulse was
finally detected," stated the Sheriff. "We were told by doctors
that he sustained irreversible brain damage after being deprived
of oxygen for so long."
Kincaid never regained consciousness after sustaining an apparent
heart attack. He was removed from life support at CMC at 2:30 PM
Sunday, according to the Sheriff.
"He died peacefully," said McDevitt "in a room filled with the
people that meant the most to him in life."
The officer's body will remain in Charlotte pending an autopsy,
and will probably be brought back to Burke County on Monday
afternoon, McDevitt said. A convoy of officers and firefighters
will escort the fallen firefighter back to Burke County.
The arrangements are as follows:
Lt Kelly's body will lie in state at the First Baptist Church from
10:00 until 15:00 hours on Wednesday, March 22.
The funeral will be Wednesday, March 22 at 15:00 hours at the
First Baptist Church, 502 West Union Street, Morganton. At the end
of the service, a walking procession will follow the casket to the
Forest Hill Cemetery for burial. Any and all emergency service
personnel are welcomed to participate in the processional.
Any agency wishing to bring apparatus should contact
Michael S. Willis, Morganton Department of Public Safety,
828-432-2522.
Memorial contributions can be made to:
Lt. Kelly Kincaid Scholarship Fund
c/o Burke County Sheriff's Department
150 Government Drive
Morganton, NC 28655
Post Condolences at FireNews.net Forums
(LODD Category)
Related Links:
Morganton.com: Welcome Home Friend
Morganton Department of Public Safety
Morganton:
The News Herald
Burke County Sheriff's Office Press Release
North Carolina Fallen Firefighter's Foundation
FireNews.net List of LODDs
|
