ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A firefighter with the St. Louis Fire Department has died from COVID-19, the department announced.
Rodney L. Heard, 56, was a 25-year veteran firefighter and died on Tuesday after a "courageous battle with COVID-19." He is the first St. Louis firefighter to die from the virus.
(Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI)
The department says he became infected while at work and is calling it a "Line of Duty" death. BackStoppers announced it will be assisting Heard's family.
A former colleague of his, Gregg Favre, posted about him on social media saying he was a "rock solid partner. Big, strong & Brave."
Rodney & I spent years together on Truck 14-A, in midtown.
— Gregg Favre (@GreggFavre) June 16, 2021
A quieter man (especially by city FF standards) he was a deeply religious & family oriented man.
He was also a rock solid partner. Big, strong & brave. Hell of a fireman.
Go in peace Rodney. I'll miss you big man. https://t.co/ZT4jWxx4JO
He is being given a fire department escort from St. Mary's Hospital to Granberry Mortuary in north St. Louis County on Thursday.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.
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