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Richard Michael Sheltra

Firefighter

Firefighter Sheltra and members of his fire department were dispatched to a structure fire in a commercial occupancy. Firefighter Sheltra entered the structure with other firefighters and became disoriented. A MAYDAY was called and Firefighter Sheltra was removed from the structure. He was transported to the hospital but was pronounced dead at 2022hrs. The cause of death was reported as inhalation of products of combustion.

8500 Pineville Matthews Rd, Charlotte, NC 28226 (U.S. National Grid: 17S NU 1250 8285)

photo of the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial
Richard Michael Sheltra was honored on the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg, Maryland and was included in the USFA’s annual report Firefighter Fatalities in the United States.

Department information

The Pineville-Morrow Volunteer Fire Department and Rescue, Inc.
108 Church ST POB 574
U.S. National Grid: 17S NU 10078 82607
Pineville, North Carolina 28134

Chief: Michael Gerin

Age: 20
Rank: Firefighter
Classification: Volunteer
Incident date: April 30, 2016 21:03
Date of death: April 30, 2016
Cause of death: Lost
Nature of death: Asphyxiation
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Store/Office

Last updated: August 29, 2017

Watch America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters

Honoring line-of-duty deaths in 2019