FF Falls Ill Battling TX Wildfire and Dies

June 11 -- A Weatherford firefighter died while battling wildfires near the Davis Mountains in West Texas. 

Richard "Andy" Loller Jr. suffered a medical emergency while working in West Texas, and was flown by helicopter to get treatment, the city of Weatherford said Sunday night.

The 42-year-old died aboard a medical airplane that was taking him to Odessa, the city said. 

"We are all deeply shocked and saddened by the news of Andy's passing," City Manager Sharon Hayes said in a written statement. "He will be sorely missed by the community and all who knew and worked with him. Our prayers are with his family at this time."

Loller was assigned to Station 36. He is survived by his wife, two children and a sister.

The Scenic Loop Complex blaze is made up of seven fires and affected more than 24,000 acres, according to Texas A&M Forest Service. As of Sunday morning, it was 65 percent contained.

Fires broke out June 3 after lightning strikes in the area, according to the Fort Davis Fire Department.

The Flower Mound Fire Department said in a Facebook post that Loller had been on a Texas Intrastate Fire Mutual Aid System wildland deployment to fight the fire when he died.

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