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A Texas firefighter died last week after battling COVID-19 for just over a month.
La Marque Fire Department firefighter Jesse Turrubiate, 31, was taken to Gavelston's University of Texas Medical Branch on July 9, The Gavelston Daily News reports. He was admitted to the ICU before passing away Aug. 5.
“He had a smile that was infectious,” Interim Fire Chief David Merryman told the Daily News.
Turrubiate had been with the department for three years and was recently made interim captain. Merryman posthumously promoted Turrubiate to captain.
“He just excelled at all the traits of a company officer," the chief said.
Along with serving as a firefighter, Turrubiate was also a Marine Corps veteran and father.
