A St. Paul firefighter died of a heart attack Monday evening after collapsing at his Merriam Park firehouse, the first loss of a city firefighter in the line of duty since 2009.
Firefighter-paramedic Shane Clifton, 38, collapsed after exercising at Station 14, 111 N. Snelling Ave. He was later pronounced dead at Regions Hospital, according to Fire Chief Tim Butler.
Butler, Mayor Chris Coleman and other officials expressed condolences to Clifton's family and colleagues during a news conference Monday night at Fire Department headquarters.
"It is never easy when we lose someone that puts his life on the line on a daily basis and works so hard to save others," Coleman said.
Clifton, who staffed Engine 14 and Medic 14, was on duty and was working out just after 5 p.m. Monday when he suddenly wasn't feeling well and then collapsed at the firehouse, Butler said.
He was treated by fellow firefighters and medics at the firehouse three blocks north of Summit Avenue and then transported to Regions Hospital, where lifesaving efforts continued, Butler said. He was pronounced dead at 6:40 p.m. He had suffered a catastrophic cardiac arrest.