A St. Paul firefighter is being laid to rest Monday, just days after graduating from the department's training academy.
52-year old Timothy Bertz died last week of what they are calling a serious medical event at his home. An official cause of death was not provided.
"He absolutely loved being a firefighter," said his wife, Andrea Bertz. "He joined the Navy to become a firefighter, but the Navy saw other skills that led him down the road to become a SEAL. So I'm glad that he was able to finish with that dream job of being a firefighter."
Bertz also served as a firefighter for the Harris and Lino Lakes fire departments.
"I also helped him to leave quickly because I knew it was important to him to be the first on the engine out of the fire hall," added his wife. "I would get our four dogs out of the way and then run out to the garage, pull his truck out, and have the door open so he could hop right in and take off. He loved racing to the fire hall and absolutely hated if he got behind someone going slow."
Flags at state buildings are flying at half-staff in his honor, according to Governor Tim Walz Monday.
Local firefighters also held a procession from the Mall of America to Bertz's memorial service in Wyoming, Minnesota.