Veteran Georgia firefighter dies suddenly

MIchael Norton was a 17-year veteran of the Coweta County fire department. (Credit: Coweta County Fire Rescue)

MIchael Norton was a 17-year veteran of the Coweta County fire department. (Credit: Coweta County Fire Rescue)

A longtime Coweta County firefighter died Thursday, one day after responding to a fire, the department announced.

Michael Norton, 38, was found in medical distress by his wife several hours after he responded to an early morning residential fire in Newnan, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.

His wife called 911, and responders took Norton to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to the USFA. No cause of death was announced.

Norton was a 17-year veteran of the department.

“There are no words that can describe the grief and sadness that is being felt by our department this morning,” fire Chief Deron “Pat” Wilson said in a Facebook post. “Michael Norton was a seventeen year veteran of the Coweta County Fire Rescue Department and will always be remembered as true and humble servant to the citizens, visitors of Coweta County.”

“Michael Norton was a passionate and dedicated husband, father, son, brother and friend to so many. His dedication to the fire service will be forever felt and never forgotten.”

Norton was the 18th firefighter death reported this year, the USFA said.

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