Photo by: wesh2
Polk County Fire Chief Dr. Hezedean Smith said 41-year-old firefighter Brian Herr has died after crashing into the median of Interstate 4 in Davenport early Saturday morning.
His own colleagues and sheriff’s office deputies responded to the crash.
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“Our crews reported on arrival, they had a fully engulfed, single-car fire. Our crews worked quickly to extinguish the fire,” Smith said.
He said Herr was trapped inside.
Though he was off duty, his bunker gear was found in the car, confirming he was one of their own.
Chief Smith said he was hired in March and sworn in in April.
He said he was a hard worker who was committed to his team.
“He was a go-getter. Regardless of the volume of calls that they ran, regardless of if he was at his home station or not, he often reached out back to his home station. In his days off, they would gather at different restaurants, from what I understand, to eat and break bread together, and that even included his two young sons,” Smith said.
Photos show Herr at his pinning ceremony with his two boys.
Chief Smith says the department’s Peer Support Team is offering help to the boys, Herr’s loved ones and his colleagues.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office is still investigating the crash.
A processional was held for Herr on Monday afternoon. The fire chief said funeral arrangements are to come.
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Source: WESH
