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A Kentucky acting chief died Saturday after battling COVID-19 for nearly a month.
The death of Zoneton Fire District Battalion Chief (Maj.) Garry Key comes just over two months after Chief Rob Orkies died from the virus, the department stated in an online update. Key had been named acting chief before contracting COVID-19.
“Garry was highly respected by all who knew him and all of us are deeply saddened by his loss” acting Chief Kevin Moulton stated in the social media post. “This is a difficult time for the entire fire department."
Key joined the fire district in 1984, and he was the district's longest-serving volunteer. He also served with the Bullitt County Sheriff's Office for a decade as a reserve deputy and a court security officer before retiring in 2020.
Key is survived by his wife of a half-century, his son—also a Zoneton firefighter—and his daughter.
