A retired St. Paul, Minnesota firefighter has died in the line of duty. Ramon (Ray) Hain, 50, of Roseville, died November 14, 2009 the St. Paul department announced today.
The death is the the first line of duty death in over 20 years. Gary Skoglund was the last firefighter to die in the line of duty after investigating a fire September 16, 1989.
Hain came in contact with a patient’s body fluids in 1997. Doctors think he contracted a rare disease that weakened his heart.
Hain received a heart transplant in 1998 and retired from firefighting in 2000.
Hain will have his name inscribed at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Md.
St. Paul firefighter’s death is declared in line of duty (Pioneer Press)
Retired St. Paul firefighter dies in line of duty — 13 years later (Star Tribune)