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Ronald William Wehlage, Jr.

Fire Lieutenant/Fire Marshal

On Saturday evening, June 27, 2020, Fire Lieutenant/Fire Marshal Ron Wehlage, Jr., responded to a residential fire.  After his work duty ended on Sunday morning, June 28, 2020, he returned home.  On Tuesday, June 30, 2020, he did not show up for his next shift.  Someone was sent to check on him and found Fire Lieutenant/Fire Marshal Wehlage deceased at his home from an apparent heart attack.  Individuals attempted to contact Fire Lieutenant/Fire Marshal Wehlage on Sunday, June 28, 2020, but all attempts were unsuccessful.

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

Department information

De Soto Rural Fire Protection District
3200 Flucom Road
De Soto, Missouri 63020

Chief: Thomas Fitzgerald

Age: 40
Rank: Fire Lieutenant/Fire Marshal
Classification: Career
Incident date: June 27, 2020
Date of death: June 30, 2020
Cause of death: Stress/Overexertion
Nature of death: Heart Attack
Activity type: Advance Hose Lines/Fire Attack (includes Wildland)
Emergency duty: Yes
Duty type: On-Scene Fire
Fixed property use: Residential

Last updated: February 09, 2021

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Honoring line-of-duty deaths in 2019