A veteran Tennessee firefighter lost his fight against COVID-19 this week after contracting the virus three weeks ago while on duty.
The U.S. Fire Administration announced in a release Thursday that Shelby County Fire Department Training Lt. Terry Watts passed away early Wednesday after being infected with COVID-19 on Jan. 20.
Lt. Watts was 51 years old and a 16-year veteran of the fire service. He joined the Shelby County FD in 2006 after previously serving with the Jackson Fire Department.
"Terry made his mark right away and was loved by all of us," Shelby County Fire Chief Alvin Benson said in a Facebook post announcing Lt. Watts' line-of-duty death. "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."
