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.

In other news:

About the Author

Keep Reading

Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Juneteenth, among others, will no longer be considered fee-free days at U.S. National Parks. While the MLK National Historic Park in Atlanta doesn't charge admission, the new schedule will affect such metro Atlanta sites as Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

Featured

Fans celebrate in the stands after Cape Verde defeated Eswatini in a World Cup qualifying soccer match at Estádio Nacional in Praia, Cape Verde, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, to clinch their qualification for the 2026 World Cup. (Cristiano Barbosa/AP)

Credit: AP