MO Department Mourns Firefighter's Sudden Death

A Missouri fire department is in mourning this week following the death of one of its veteran firefighters.

The City of Independence, located just east of Kansas City, announced in a statement that firefighter Chad Sappenfield died at his home on Monday. Sappenfield was a 13-year veteran of the department and served as an equipment operator and paramedic.

There were few details on the nature of Sappenfield's death, but Independence Fire Chief Doug Short called his passing "sudden" in the release. 

According to the statement, Sappenfield began his career with the department in 2008 following his service in the U.S. Army, which included a tour in Iraq. The firefighter was a member of the IAFF Local 781 Honor Guard and Peer Support Team, and in 2014 he was honored by the Independence Chamber of Commerce for Heroism for his actions during a medical call.

“Our hearts go out to the men and women of the Independence Fire Department and everyone in our City," Independence Mayor Eileen Weir said. "We have been through a lot in the last two years, but we want our public to know we are doing everything we can to support the Fire Department and our community as we deal with yet another tragic event.”