A Michigan volunteer firefighter was killed by electrocution Wednesday while responding to reports of a tree that fell on a power line during an ice storm, police said.
Paw Paw Volunteer Fire Department identified the victim as 28-year-old Lt. Ethan Quillen. They said that he was struck by a live line while attempting to remove the tree.
“He volunteered his time here for free. He gave his life for free,” Fire Chief Jim DeGroff IV said.
Quillen was, according to a GoFundMe page, a “beloved husband, father, son, friend, Marine, and dedicated firefighter.”
The Paw Paw Fire Department consists of volunteers, like Quillen, who “love their community.”
“We're so fortunate to have the people we have, and they don't want anything in return,” DeGroff said.
“Their satisfaction is helping another family and helping anywhere we can.”
