By Rachel Engel
PASCAGOULA, Miss. — A firefighter who was recently diagnosed with a rare form of cancer has died, just two weeks after he was told of his condition.
Pascagoula Fire Department Capt. Jacob Latch died on October 11 from epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE), an aggressive type of cancer, WXXV 25 reported. After his diagnosis, Latch was transported to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston before moving to hospice care.
Latch served with the PFD for 16 years, including the last two as captain.
“He was just a young man when he came in here,” Fire Chief Hyler Krebs said. “So we’ve watched him grow and develop into the man that he is, also as a father.”
The fire captain also served as a volunteer squad member for Tunnels to Towers Biloxi, and the organization started a GoFundMe to initially assist the Latch family with medical bills, and now funeral arrangements.
“It’s with great sadness we report Jacob has answered his final call on Earth,” an update on the fundraising page read. “He’s en route to Heaven to complete God’s mission. Rest in peace Capt. Latch. Let’s keep this going. Please share and donate. Let’s take care of Jacob’s wife and kids. He has stepped up to help others, now it’s our turn to help his family.”
Latch is survived by his wife, Katie, and three children: Avery, 12; Olivia “Oli”, 9; and Finley, 7.
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