St. Paul Firefighter Continues to Save Lives by Donating Organs, Tissue

Funeral arrangements include a  public vigil slated for 6 p.m. Dec. 26 at the Harris Fire Department, 43525 Gladstone Ave. A memorial service will be held at noon Dec. 29 at Maranatha Church, 24799 Forest Blvd., Wyoming, MN.

Even after death, a rookie St. Paul firefighter continues to help others.

Just days after achieving his dream to become a St. Paul firefighter, Tim Bertz suffered a fatal heart attack at home. Efforts to revive him proved fruitless.

"Nobody wants to go through this, but what gives us a moment of pause, a moment of peace, is all the gifts that he's going to be bringing to people over Christmas this year. People that maybe wouldn't have been able to see another one after this, and that helps," Rick Bertz, his father, told KARE.

Bertz was stricken the day after he and other rookies were involved in a training exercise at the academy.

"There's nothing to take away all of that pain, but just knowing that this is what Tim was doing all his life, and now he's doing it in death. It just figures," his father said, struggling to control his emotions. 

He served with Harris and Lino Lakes fire departments before being hired by St. Paul.

His willingness to be an organ donor didn't surprise St. Paul Fire Chief Butch Inks, who days earlier had handed him his badge.

Four people received vital organs that will keep them alive while donated tissue will help countless others.