A veteran firefighter died at a Tucson hospital late last week after suffering what colleagues called "a major cardiac event" while he was on duty.
The Arizona Daily Star reports that Rural Metro Capt. Scott Ferguson, 57, died after being rushed to Banner-University Medical Center in critical condition upon suffering the on-duty cardiac episode last Friday.
Ferguson, who the Daily Star says was an accomplished musician in his spare time, was surrounded by family and his fellow firefighters when he passed.
A 30-year veteran of Rural Metro who began his career with the Houston Fire Department, Ferguson was assigned to Station 72 at 2741 N. Houghton Road in Tucson.
"He climbed the ranks here and began as a reserve firefighter," Battalion Chief John Walka said of his friend and colleague. "He also worked as an emergency medical technician and worked at all eight fire stations in Pima County. In 1997, he was promoted to fire captain."
Walka said Ferguson was a great teacher and mentor to younger firefighters, and added that he played keyboards, guitar, bass, drums and wrote music in his spare time.
"He was a big fan of The Beatles," Walka told the Daily Star.
Services will be held with full honors Wednesday and roughly 200 firefighters from several area department are expected to attend.
