COVID-19 Claims Veteran TX Firefighter

Feb. 14, 2022
Copperas Cove Firefighter Michael "Turtle" McGuire succumbed to COVID-19 after contracting it on-duty.

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Copperas Cove firefighters are mourning the loss of a 19-year member who died from COVID-19 after being exposed to the virus on the job.

Michael "Turtle" McGuire, 52, passed away Feb. 10. McGuire was surrounded by his family and friends at AdventHospital Central Texas when he passed.

"It is with a very heavy heart to say that Copperas Cove Firefighter Michael "Turtle" McGuire has passed away. Michael has been a career professional firefighter with the department since 2003. His last assigned shift was with his brothers and sisters on 'C'-Shift, "the department said in a Facebook post.

During his career he received many awards, including Firefighter of the Year, Safe Driver Award, and Emergency Medical Technician‐Basic of the Year Award, according to KDHNews.com.

Visitation will be Thursday at Viss Family Funeral Home, Copperas Cove, from 5-7 p.m. 

Funeral services will he held Friday at 10 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, with graveside services following at Kempner Cemetery. 

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