The Superior Fire Department was rocked last week by the loss of one of their own. Battalion Chief Erik Sutton, 46, who retired in March after serving for 20 years on the department, died April 18. The cause of death was not released. "As a department we are trying to cope and understand this loss," wrote Fire Chief Steve Panger in a Monday news release. "In particular, our hearts go out to Erik's family during this very difficult time." The death "certainly shook us up," Panger said in an interview. "We're trying to piece things back together and find our way through this. ... It's going to take a little while. It's going to take some work." Sutton was generous and always willing to help on a project, the chief said, and spent his career helping people who needed a hand.