Los Angeles Fire Captain Found Dead in Communications Center

Aug. 12, 2013
Fire Captain/Paramedic Matthew G. McKnight, 51, was a 31-year veteran of the department.

Los Angeles fire and EMS personnel are mournng the loss of one of their own.

Fire/Paramedic Capt. Matthew G. McKnight was found unresponsive inside the LAFD Metropolitan Fire Communications Center. 

McKnight, 51, was last seen at 12:55 a.m. near the conclusion of a busy five hour watch, where he directly supervised eleven Firefighter/Dispatchers in overseeing the life safety needs, a department spokesman said in a prepared statement.

"Despite an exhaustive effort by colleagues who immediately performed CPR, applied a defibrillator and instituted advanced life support measures, McKnight proved beyond medical help and was declared dead Monday morning at the Los Angeles County/USC Medical Center," the spokesman said.

McKnight is survived by his wife, teenage daughter and pre-teen son, as well as two brothers who are active-duty members of the LAFD.

He was a 31-year veteran of the department.

An autopsy is being performed to detmine the cause of death.

Funeral details are not completed as yet. 

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