The Herald-Review
Reprinted with Permission

HERRICK, Ill (March 7) -- A Herrick volunteer firefighter died while fighting a blaze Monday afternoon.

Don Wilson, 50, was on the roof at a residential fire in rural Herrick when he collapsed.

"He was on a flat roof, and it looked like he just laid down," said Herrick Fire Chief Floyd White. "He had just finished with the roof."

Shelby County Coroner Brian Greeen said Wilson was pronounced dead at Shelby Memorial Hospital. The cause of death has not been determined, Green said.

Wilson was a 15-year member of the department. His wife, Yvonne, and son, Brooks, also are members of the department.

"The all love the fire department, and they serve." White said. "Don loved his family, his motorcycle and fighting fires."

White, a 31-year veteran of the department, said this was the first fire tragedy he had seen.