By FireRescue1 Staff
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Lt. Dennis DeVoe, who was struck and killed by a drunk driver while en route to a call, continues to save people even after death.
Lt. DeVoe, a 21-year veteran, was driving to his station to grab his turnout gear when he was struck by a drunk driver who ran a stop sign, PennLive reported. He’s the sixth career member of the Harrisburg Fire Department to die in the line of duty. A funeral procession and memorial service will be held Friday.
His wife, Amy, posted on Facebook Tuesday that DeVoe saved five lives by donating his organs and tissue.
“While Denny’s brothers were busy saving lives on the fireground, Denny was preparing to save lives in a different way, through the gift of organ and tissue donation,” she wrote. “He was able to donate his heart, lungs, liver and both kidneys. We are in awe of Denny because even as we grieve his loss, he was busy making a miracle for someone else and their family.”
DeVoe’s tissues will also be used in as many as 50 to 100 surgeries, according to his wife.
“It’s remarkable to think about Denny being able to help a child who may be in a burn unit, or knowing two people will wake up and see the sunrise tomorrow,” she wrote. “While our heart breaks for our loss, and we recognize our lives will be forever changed, we can find solace in this: Lieutenant Dennis DeVoe was not only a hero in life, but also a hero in death.”