Duty Death: Terry Watts - [Shelby County]
End of Service: 10/02/2021
By Laura French
SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — A Tennessee fire training lieutenant has died in the line of duty due to COVID-19.
Shelby County Fire Department Lt. Terry Watts, 51, died Wednesday night from complications from the virus, Fire Chief Alvin D. Benson announced. Watts contracted the virus in January while on-duty at the department, according to the U.S. Fire Administration.
“Among the fire fighters, administration, dispatchers and many many others throughout fire departments all over the mid-south, Terry will be so fondly remembered and our collective thoughts are steadfastly with his spouse, four children and all of the members of his family,” Benson said in a statement.
Watts had been with the department since 2006, previously serving with the Jackson, Tennessee Fire Department. He was responsible for the professional training of many firefighters, who Benson says will “carry his legacy well into our futures.”
“Known to be incredibly compassionate to everyone he met, he taught others how to smile, how to laugh, how to endure – he taught us how to learn,” Benson wrote.