Veteran firefighter Stacey Boulware was active outside of her job, often playing tennis and basketball.
So, her fellow Cobb County firefighters were surprised to learn that a preliminary autopsy report indicates she may have died from a heart attack Monday.
“The final determination of the cause of death is pending additional studies to rule out other medical diagnoses that may have contributed to the death,” Cobb County spokesman Ross Cavitt said in a statement.
It will likely take 30 days before the final autopsy report is finished.
Earlier Monday, Boulware passed her required annual physical training exam.
“Her only remarks were: she was disappointed in her time (and) she wanted to do better,” Cobb County fire Chief Randal Crider told Channel 2 Action News.
She then went to two incidents, including a medical call that involved a full cardiac arrest, before she collapsed at Station 5 in Vinings, Cobb County fire Lt. Dan Dupree said.
Firefighters worked to resuscitate Boulware, Crider said.
“Once she went unconscious, they put her on a defibrillator, they shocked her a couple of time, started IV and administered medications,” he said.
Boulware was taken to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where she later died.
“It's almost like having a family member go down in front of you,” Crider said, “and you have to work that call.”
Visitation for Boulware will be from 1-3 p.m. Saturday at Burnt Hickory Baptist Church in Powder Springs. A memorial service will begin at 3 p.m. at the church.
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