The United States Fire Administration has announced the line of duty death of Michigan firefighter Thomas L. Ivey, who died in July 2005 as a result of a vehicle collision in December 2004.

Ivey, 48, was a volunteer firefighter with the West Iron County Fire Department in Iron River, Michigan.

According to the USFA, Ivey was responding to a motor vehicle accident on Dec. 27, 2004 in his privately owned vehicle when he was involved in a separate accident.

He suffered a cervical fracture and spinal cord injuries resulting in quadriplegia, and died of complications resulting from the quadriplegia on July 26, 2005.

According to the Iron Mountain Daily News, Ivey served in the United States Navy for 20 years as a machinist and recruiter. Following his retirement and honorable discharge from the Navy, he returned to the Iron River area where he worked for various employers and joined the fire department. He is survived by three children and two grandchildren.

Funeral Services were held at the Langenberg Funeral Home on July 28.

The family suggests that memorials be made in honor of Firefighter Thomas Ivey to the equipment fund at the West Iron County Fire Department, 640 Ninth Avenue, Iron River, MI 49935.