By Laura French
FERN CREEK, Ky. — A Kentucky fire sergeant who was eight shifts away from retiring from the fire department was killed in an off-duty lawn mowing accident on Friday, officials said.
Fern Creek Fire Sgt. Kyle Adams, 39, who owns his own lawn service, was performing lawn maintenance when a piece of equipment fell on him and pinned him, according to WKYT. Adams died after the accident; further details about his cause of death were not released.
The accident occurred shortly after Adams had finished a shift, according to the fire department. Fern Creek Fire Chief Nathan Mulvey said during a press conference that Adams had been preparing for his retirement from the department and was set to work just eight more shifts.
“Sgt. Adams was a great father, husband, son, brother, and friend. Sgt. Adams served the citizens of our community for literally his entire life, even as a toddler when he would come to the fire house with his father, a retired FC firefighter,” read a statement on the fire department’s Facebook page. “Sgt. Adams was a pillar to not only our department, but the Fern Creek community, someone that everyone knew, trusted and liked. He will be deeply missed and we ask the community to keep the family, friends and department in their prayers as we get through this difficult time.”
Adams was honored with a procession Saturday to Fern Creek Funeral Home on Saturday, according to WDRB. He had served for more than 20 years with the fire department and is survived by his wife and two children. A candlelight vigil is planned in his memory for Monday night at Fern Creek Fire Station 1.