The Associated Press

TOPEKA, Kan. — The wife of a Topeka Fire Department captain who died battling a blaze last August says the city still has not paid for his funeral.

Anthony Cox collapsed while taking a break from fighting a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex on Aug. 13, 2007. The Shawnee County coroner said the 44-year-old veteran firefighter died of heart disease and heat.

More than 500 firefighters and hundreds of friends attended Cox’s funeral on Aug. 20.

His wife – Karrie Youngbear Cox – and his son born four months after Cox’s death will be presented with the Medal of Valor at a special ceremony Wednesday night.

City councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz says Cox’s family came to her with their concerns about the unpaid bill. City Manager Norton Bonaparte says he is working with Fire Chief Howard Giles to take care of it.