West Virginia Deputy Chief Falls Ill, Dies During Response

Updated: Listed by the USFA on 24 February 2025.

On Monday, February 17, 2025, Deputy Fire Chief Jeffrey Lawson was responding in an engine to a report of a structure fire when he became ill and told the driver that he needed medical attention. The driver of the engine met an ambulance which transferred him to the Welch Community Hospital. While in transit, Deputy Fire Chief Lawson became unconscious. Responders initiated CPR on Deputy Fire Chief Lawson who, despite the lifesaving efforts, was later pronounced deceased at the hospital. The cause of his death has yet to be determined.

Age: 54
Rank: Deputy Fire Chief
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: Feb. 17, 2025 7:25 PM
Date of death: Feb. 17, 2025
Cause of fatal injury: Unknown
Nature of fatal injury: Unknown
Activity type: Riding Vehicle/Apparatus
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential

The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 currently is 12.

Go here to read the number of interior line of duty deaths for 2025.

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

For more information about on-duty deaths as recorded by the United States Fire Administration go to “Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.”

Earlier:

By Bill Carey
21 February 2025

WAR, W.Va. — A War Volunteer Fire Department deputy chief died while responding to a structure fire involving a firefighter’s home in McDowell County.

On Feb. 17, the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department, Raysal Volunteer Fire Department and War Volunteer Fire Department were dispatched to a structure fire in the Jolo area of McDowell County, WVNS reported.

While en route to the fire, War Deputy Chief Jeffrey Lawson told the driver that he was not feeling well and needed medical attention. The driver turned the apparatus around and headed toward Welch Community Hospital.

On the way, Lawson was transferred to an EMS unit. WVVA reported he became unconscious during transport and was pronounced dead at the hospital.