A fire captain in Clallam County, Washington named Charles Cate was recently discovered dead in bed by his fellow firefighters, with his untimely passing occurring just hours after he returned from a call.
Clallam Country Fire District Three posted about Cate’s passing on Facebook, saying:
“It is with deep sadness, that Clallam County Fire District 3 (District) must inform the local and fire service community of the Line of Duty Death of one of our officers this morning, Captain Charles “Chad” Cate.
“Captain Cate was discovered deceased in his bunk by members of his crew when they attempted to wake him this morning around 7 a.m. He was last seen following a response to a fire activation at a commercial building about 0225 this morning, where he returned to the station; crews went to bed following the call.
“The 46 year-old was raised in the area and graduated from Sequim High School where he has continued to be involved as the Wrestling Coach. He was hired by the District in 1997 as a firefighter/paramedic and promoted to the rank of captain in 2020. Captain Cate leaves behind his wife, 2 year-old son and two adult children.
“The District and its members are doing everything possible to support our fallen brother’s family, and we ask the community to join us as we keep them in our thoughts and prayers.
“More information will be provided as it is available; another Press Release will occur later today.”
The later press release contained few new details about Captain Cate’s passing and was mainly focused on the funeral procession for Captain Cate, telling the public how it could turn out to show its thanks and support to Captain Cate and his family.
A local fire department union, commenting on Captain Cate’s passing in a Facebook post, said “His passing was completely unexpected and has stunned his family, friends and brothers and sisters of the IAFF 2933 and his entire Clallam County Fire District 3 family.”
The department later thanked the community for showing up to show their support for Captain Cate during his funeral procession, saying:
To the National Fire Academy in Emmitsburg, Maryland where flags were lowered to half-staff in Captain Cate’s honor, to all of the fire agencies paying their respects along the route as Captain Cate’s shiftmates escorted him to Thurston County and back, to the community members who lined the streets of Sequim upon his return and to so many others who’ve reached out … Thank you. We feel the love and support, and we so appreciate it.
Featured image credit: Clallam Country Fire District Three Facebook
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