(Napoleon, IN) – The local firefighting brother- and sisterhood and others throughout the community are mourning the line-of-duty death of longtime Napoleon volunteer firefighter Ralph Meyer.
He suffered a fatal heart attack around Noon on Wednesday, hours after helping battle a structure fire.
Meyer started in the fire service 58 years ago at the age of 14, and is a former Napoleon Fire Chief – a position now held by his son Steve.
Ralph Meyer’s brother is Napoleon’s assistant chief, and his grandson and granddaughter also serve.
His father also served with the department, which means four generations of the Meyer family has been active in the fire service.
In addition, the 72-year-old Meyer was a popular presence at the annual Napoleon Firemen’s Picnic and manned the grill for many years at Smyrna Lutheran Church’s food stand at the Decatur County Fair.
Meyer’s organs were donated as a final act of service, and it estimated that his donations will help between 100 and 150 people.
Funeral arrangements were pending as of Friday morning.
