MEHLVILLE, Mo. (KMOX)--Mehlville firefighter Tina Mecey passed away from cancer linked to her 17-year career as a firefighter. She learned she had the deadly disease just eight weeks ago.
Mecey, 55, was the engine driver for truck 1730. The truck she drove will be outside the church for her funeral with full professional honors.
"Tina lived a life of service," Mehlville Fire Chief Brian Hendricks said. "When she was diagnosed she came in and said 'I have to put it down' and we of course did anything and everything we could to be there for Tina's family."
Tina was a firefighter and paramedic starting in 1992 when she worked as a resident firefighter for the Boone County Fire District while attending college. Tina then served as a wildland firefighter for the United States Forestry Service.
After eight years with the Farmington Fire Department, Tina joined the Mehlville Fire Protection District in 2007. She was promoted to the position of engineer in 2020. Tina faithfully served the community for 17 years, exemplifying the courage and dedication which defines the fire service.
State of Missouri law lists the types of cancers presumed to result from working as a firefighter. Tina's cancer qualifies under the law as a line-of-duty death meaning the cancer she had is presumed to have been caused by her work in the fire service.
The funeral service for Tina Mecey will be Tuesday, Jan. 21st at Parkland Chapel in Farmington. Full honor funeral service will begin at 10 AM.