With regret to pass on the Line of Duty Death of La Crosse, Indiana, Volunteer Firefighter Ken Caldwell.
Firefighter Caldwell and members of the La Crosse VFD responded to a field fire last Thursday morning. During the response, Firefighter Caldwell used rescue equipment to cut through a fence so firefighters and equipment could get to the area of the fire.
After they cleared the call, returned to the station, and cleaned up equipment, Firefighter Caldwell said he was going to pick up his mail at the post office. That evening, he missed a work detail at the firehouse that he had committed to attend. On Friday, he failed to respond to a call. Both were very uncharacteristic of him.
By Sunday morning, he had not been seen or heard from since Thursday. So members of his department went to his residence to check on his welfare. They found him deceased inside the home. He had collapsed and died while opening his mail, just a couple of hours after his emergency response to the fire call.
Firefighter Caldwell, 63, served with the La Crosse Volunteer Fire Department for over 30 years. He is survived by his mother and brother.
Our condolences to all those affected.
Funeral arrangements will be posted at www.SupportingHeroes.org when they become available.