The passing of a Louisville firefighter is creating debate over what counts as a line of duty death.
Sergeant Tim Groft, a 15-year veteran of Louisville's fire department, passed away Saturday from an extended battle with cancer.
"He served them with honor, pride, loyalty and dedication," Louisville Division of Fire Chief Gregory Frederick said.
Groft was honored at a special bunting and flag lowering ceremony Tuesday. "Tim was the best of us," Brian O'Neil, President of the Louisville Professional Firefighters Union said. "He was a firefighter's firefighter. He was the best of us."
After a state review, he is the first Louisville firefighter to benefit from a new law allowing firefighters to get line of duty benefits from cancer deaths.