The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: KY

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 28th Line Of Duty Death in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & John Wilkinson Jr. have made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Lake Dreamland Fire Department.

John Earl Wilkinson Jr.

Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 44
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 27
Date of Incident: 04/12/2012
Time of Incident: 1930hrs
Date of Death: 04/13/2012

Fire Department: Lake Dreamland Fire Department
Address: 4603 Cane Run RD, Louisville, KY 40216
Fire Department Chief: Pending

Incident Description: Fire Chief Wilkinson responded to and worked an outdoor fire call. After returning home and in the early morning hours, Wilkinson experienced a medical emergency initially reported to have been a heart attack. Emergency responders were summoned to the residence but despite all efforts, Chief Wilkinson succumbed to his injury.

Incident Location: Pending

Funeral Arrangements: Visitation, 04/16/2012 from 1200-2000hrs, and 04/17/2012 from 1100-1300hrs, with services to follow at Ornsby Heights Baptist Church, 2120 Lower Hunters Trace, Louisville, KY.

Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief John Earl Wilkinson Jr. at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 28 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats...