Kcmo Lodd

[fyrmnk]

RIP Brother Crockett


Story by kmbc.com
KANSAS CITY, Mo. --

A firefighter collapsed Monday battling a blaze at a Kansas City home and he later died.

The fire happened at 55th Street and Prospect Avenue. Investigators said utilities were not hooked up to the home and they believe it was arson.

Firefighter Terrance Crockett collapsed shortly after arriving at the scene. He was rushed to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Crockett was a 10-year veteran of the Fire Department. Co-workers said Crockett always had a smile on his face.


Copyright 2008 by KMBC.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[Station2Capt]

To the Family of FF Terrance Crockett and KC Fire Department

My thoughts and prayers will be with everyone affected by this tragic event. Stay strong and Rest In Peace Brother Crockett.

[BLSboy]

Rest in peace, Brother.

Damn this year has not been kind to us......

[jerrygarcia]

RIP brother.



Tony Rizzo
The Kansas City Star, Mo.



--

Mar. 18--A Kansas City firefighter collapsed and died Monday while battling a house fire on Prospect Avenue that authorities believe was set intentionally.

An ambulance took Terrance Crockett, 48, a 10-year Fire Department employee, to nearby Research Medical Center, but he could not be revived.

Crockett is the first Kansas City firefighter to die in the line of duty since 2004, when a traffic accident killed Gerald McGowan as his truck responded to a fire call.

After joining the department as a dispatcher, Crockett became a firefighter about eight years ago, according to Kansas City Fire Chief Smokey Dyer.

"He made the decision that he wanted to be a firefighter for the rest of his life," Dyer said.

The fire was reported about 12:30 p.m. in the 5500 block of Prospect Avenue. Arriving firefighters reported heavy smoke and fire showing from a vacant, one-story house.

They brought the blaze under control after about 15 minutes. As part of follow-up work, firefighters doused the debris to prevent fire from reigniting. Crockett was working one of the hoses when he collapsed, according to Dyer.

His co-workers said he hadn't said anything or complained of any physical problems.

They carried him outside to the front porch and began emergency medical procedures. An ambulance already was on the scene, and it rushed Crockett the few blocks to Research.

Members of Crockett's "large, extended family" gathered at the hospital, where Dyer met with them, he said.

Dyer said that Crockett was a "giant of a man" who always seemed like he had to duck to enter a room. The chief stopped to compose himself for several seconds as he talked about Crockett.

"I never saw him at work or on duty where he did not have a smile," Dyer said.

The chief said Kansas City police were assisting the Fire Department in investigating what he called a "fire of very suspicious circumstances." Because the house was vacant, there were no working utilities, and he said it did not appear to be the kind of fire that would be set accidentally by a homeless person using it for shelter.

"It is being investigated as a set fire," he said.

Dyer asked anyone who may have any information about the fire to call the TIPS Hotline at 816-474-TIPS (474-8477).

No specific cause of death had been determined, but if arson were found to be the cause, whoever set the fire could face felony murder charges, according to the chief.

Crockett was assigned to Pumper 30 at Station 30, 7530 Prospect Ave. Three crew members of Pumper 30 were among six firefighters killed in 1988 in a massive explosion in southeast Kansas City.

The last Kansas City firefighter to die at a fire scene was Battalion Chief John Tvedten, who died inside a burning warehouse in 1999.

[bfd190]

Thoughts and prayers to the fallen Brothers family and Dept.

[wfd1045]

RIP Brother.

Jerry--Have there been any funeral arrangements made yet?

[RspctFrmCalgary]

My deepest sympathies to the Kansas City Fire Department and the Crockett family and friends for their loss.

Sleep in the arms of the angels, Terrance. :( :( :(

[ehs7554]

RIP KC Brother
I hope they can catch the person who started this fire.

[Futureemt73193]

RIP. My prayers and thoughts are with all the family and friends. I also hope they catch the person who started the fire, too.

[fyrmnk]

Not speaking for Jerry, but in case he doesn't check back, here is what was sent out at my department today:

The service schedule for March 22, 2008 concerning the line of duty death for Firefighter Terrence Crockett is as follows;
· Visitation, Saturday March 22: 0800 - 1100 at the Church Triumphant World Overcomers located at 5101 Bristol which is situated near the Shrine Temple.
· Funeral 1200 hours located at the Church.
· Burial-Forest Hill Cemetery at 6901 Troost.
· Reception-Immediately following the burial for the family and all firefighters of KCFD and attending departments at the Local 42 Union Hall, 6320 Manchester, located just south of 63rd Street between 435 and US 350.

[ndvfdff33]

Rest Easy Brother