HEATHER CASEY
Firehouse.Com News
Photo Courtesy Troy Fire Department
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A Michigan firefighter suffered a fatal heart attack Monday night during a
search and rescue drill at his fire station.
Lt. James Rupkey, 58, volunteered with the Troy Fire Department for 29
years.
He was wearing full gear and an air pack while searching in the dark for a
mannequin. He collapsed at 8:10 p.m. and firefighters on scene administered
CPR, said Lt. Chuck Riesterer. Rupkey was given ALS transportation to
William Beaumont Hospital, where he was pronounced dead at 8:52 p.m.
Rupkey, who recently retired from his job at Electronic Data Systems, wrote
computer software for the fire department to help with organization and
scheduling, Riesterer said. For his efforts, Rupkey won the department’s
"Firefighter of the Year" award in 1999.
"He was pretty big into computers," Riesterer said, and had served the
department as lieutenant, captain and assistant chief. No matter what rank
he held, he was always a leader at the fire department. "Jim fell into the
category of being a leader," Riesterer said.
Rupkey is survived by his wife Carol, three adult daughters and three
grandchildren.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday from 6-9 p.m., Thursday from 2-4 p.m.
and 6-9 p.m. at the Desmond Funeral Home at 2600 Crooks in Troy. A
firefighter memorial service will be held there Thursday at 7 p.m.
The funeral service will take place Friday at noon at the St. Thomas Moore
Church at 4580 Adams Rd. in Troy.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Troy Firefighters Women’s
Auxiliary at 500 West Big Bear in Troy, MI 48084.
The Troy Fire Department has 170 volunteer firefighters and 11 career staff
at six fire stations. They serve a population of 85,000 in an area of 36
square miles, and are located about 20 miles north of Detroit. The death of
Lt. James Rupkey was the first line-of-duty death in the department.
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