A Florida firefighter was electrocuted Saturday at a crash scene along a roadway in Wakulla County.
Crawfordville Capt. Richard Rhea, 60, slipped on wet grass and came into contact with a live power line, reports indicated.
He is the only firefighter to have died in the line of duty in Wakulla County in the past 35 years. Fellow members were meeting Monday morning at Crawfordville Volunteer Fire Company to finalize details of his farewell.
Members are struggling to deal with Rhea's death, said Lt. Travis Oaks, of the Tallahassee Fire Department. "They are a very small department. Everyone knows everyone..."
Oaks described Rhea as a "tremendous guy" who was loved by all.
He started volunteering with Wakulla County fire in 1981. At one time, he also volunteered with Tallahassee Fire.
Rhea, who was safety coordinator at a plant that makes gunpowder, is survived by his wife, four children and four grandchildren.
Funeral Services
Visitation will be held Monday from 4-8 p.m., and on Tuesday, from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Harvey Young Funeral Home, in Crawfordville.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Crawfordville United Methodist Church.
Donations may be made in memory of Rhea, c/o Crawfordville Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 490, Crawfordville, FL 32326.
Fire officials with questions about staging of apparatus or personnel should contact Lt. Oaks at 850-508-0730.
