CHICAGO — Hundreds of Chicago firefighters came together to honor one of their own, who died from a West Nile Virus infection.
Chicago Fire Dept. Lt. Thomas Flahive, 58, died last week after falling ill from a West Nile Virus infection he contracted while on a trip in Wis. when a mosquito bit him on the neck, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Lt. Flahive complained of flu-like symptoms a couple of weeks ago while working at the firehouse.
“He was at the firehouse feeling symptoms, and he decided to go home and check into the hospital,” Fire Department Media Affairs Director Larry Langford said.
Lt. Flahive later died while at the hospital.
He was with the dept. since 1989 and is survived by his wife and three sons.
“He’s a guy with a lot of experience, guy with a big heart,” Lt. Paul Ryder told NBC Chicago. “One of his crew told me he’d thank everybody coming off his shift for doing the job and being safe. That’s important.”
Lt. Flahive’s family will be donating parts of his body to science in hopes that researchers can learn more about the West Nile Virus.