* Not officially announced by the USFA due to the federal government shutdown, but likely based on similar past on-duty deaths.
By Bill Carey
8 November 2025
COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. — Columbia County officials announced that Fire Recruit Kalif Leslie Daly died after becoming ill during firefighter training the previous day.
Daly, a member of the county’s newest recruit class, reported feeling unwell during physical training on Nov. 4 and was transported to a hospital, where he later died, according to a county press release. An investigation is underway, the Augusta Press reported.
Columbia County Fire Rescue asks for privacy as Daly’s family and colleagues grieve. The department thanks the community and neighboring agencies for their support and asks that everyone keep Daly’s loved ones in their thoughts. Funeral arrangements are pending and will be shared when finalized.
The number of on-duty deaths for 2025 is currently 69.
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.”
Photo courtesy of Columbia County Fire Rescue/Facebook.
Data Not Drama 