Community Mourns Death Of St. Paul Firefighter Who Collapsed On Duty

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) – The community in St. Paul is mourning the death of a firefighter and paramedic who died suddenly Monday evening after collapsing while on duty.

Many people, including politicians and city officials, took to social media to express their sadness after the passing of 38-year-old Shane Clifton.

According to the St. Paul Fire Department, Clifton told his colleagues at Station No. 14 in Merriam Park that he felt sick around 5 p.m. Shortly after, he collapsed after going into cardiac arrest.

Clifton's fellow firefighters and EMTs came to his aid and took him to Regions Hospital, where he later died.

Profoundly saddened by news that firefighter Shane Clifton passed away suddenly. Keep his family, friends, @StPaulFireDept in your prayers.

— Chris Coleman (@mayorcoleman) September 1, 2015

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Shane Clifton will be missed dearly ???? He was an amazing mentor to me with my ridealongs. I wish this wasnt true

— Elizabeth Anne (@lizacris) September 1, 2015

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Thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Shane Clifton, his family, and brothers and sisters at St. Paul Fire #RestEasyBrother

— Specken (@minnetonka211) September 1, 2015

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Clifton was a Navy veteran who worked as an emergency department technician for Unity Hospital in Fridley and Allina EMS before he came to the St. Paul Fire Department in 2007.

Clifton was the first firefighter in the department to die while on duty since 2009. He leaves behind two children.