Former IFD Chief Brian L. Sanford died Monday at the age of 59 following a years-long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease.
Sanford served as a firefighter in Indianapolis for 32 years He served as chief of the Indianapolis Fire Department from 2008-2014.
Doctors diagnosed Sanford with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, in 2011.
Although he was impacted physically by the disease, Sanford maintained a positive outlook.
"My left hand doesn't work how it used to. My left leg is a little affected. The right hand is getting a little affected … but, you know, I've been blessed," Sanford told RTV6 in 2014. "I'll continue to stay positive and work through it."
In August of that year, IFD Chief Ernest Malone led an ice bucket challenge in Sanford's honor at Station 7. Malone released a statement Monday following Sanford's passing.
“Brian was an excellent fire chief, but he was an even better man,'" Malone said. "The relationships he forged and the people he touched throughout his time in the fire service will forever be remembered as he continues to watch over us each and every day. All of us are better for knowing him – I know I am.”