The firefighter who died while responding to a combine fire has been identified.
According to Shelby County Emergency Management officials, 58-year-old Tom Henrich died Saturday afternoon after he fell ill while on a call. He was the Earling Fire and Rescue Department chief. KJAN Radio reported the fire was near Highway 37 and Hazel Road around 2:40 p.m. Saturday.
Henrich's family said he was dedicated to them and fighting fires. Other area fire chiefs are also paying tribute to Henrich, who spent 30 years volunteering for Earling Fire and Rescue and 10 of those years as chief of the department.
In Earling on Sunday, the flag at the fire station flew at half-staff.
"They lost a very dedicated leader in their community," said Harlan Fire Chief Roger Bissen.