LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Our community's lost five first responders in the line of duty in the span of a month. Four were from Kentucky and another was from Indiana.
On Monday, when everyone was focused on the total solar eclipse, a 48-year-old firefighter from Meade County died from a heart attack while on the job. The Ekron Fire Department said Sgt. Richard Givan was surrounded by his brothers and sisters at the firehouse when it happened.
In a Facebook post on the department's Facebook page, Cheyenne Clark wrote, "Richard was more than a friend to us all. He was family, and he would do anything for anyone no matter the time of day."
Last week, on April 1, a semi hit an ambulance driven by 26-year-old EMT Chastian McWhorter from Somerset-Pulaski County EMS. Both he and his patient died.
After a procession to bring him home to Frankfort, the department later wrote, "we would not be able to make it through this tragedy without the support of everyone."
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On March 12, after returning from an emergency call, 34-year-old Ronald "Drake" Adams, an EMT from Elliott County, told his partner he was not feeling well and went to lie down. Hours later, he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Elliott County EMS took to Facebook saying, "our hearts ache as we ask you to hold Drake's beloved wife Ruby, his children, and all those who cherished him in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."
Later that same day, while on the way to stage for the Adams' escort, 504 Firefighter Frank Whitt's truck slipped off the roadway and rolled over a cliff. He died at the scene.
"To Drake, Frank, and all our fallen comrades: We will carry on in your honor," the Facebook post read.
And then, on Friday, March 8, 52-year-old Capt. James Hathaway, a beloved father of 6 and firefighter in Muncie, Indiana, died following a two-year battle with occupational cancer. He'd been a career firefighter for more than 18 years, and was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain posthumously. Cancer, as many of us have learned over the last decade, is the number one cause of line of duty deaths in the fire service, surpassing heart attacks.
When a local first responder falls in the line of duty, Louisville-based Supporting Heroes is there to help their families as quickly as possible. Its mission is to care for those left behind in Indiana, Kentucky, and Missouri.
Read more on how you can help the organization continue its work.
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