Manassa Firefighter Herold Cordova died after battling a wildland fire that started as a controlled burn and spread to nearby homes.
Since the age of 18, Cordova has been a firefighter serving with multiple departments in rural Colorado. On Sunday, he responded with the Romeo Fire Department, an agency he often worked with, to help battle a wildland fire, according to 9News.
While battling the fire, Cordova left early because he was not feeling well. A short time later, Cordova suffered a cardiac emergency and passed away.
Cordova was president of the Conejos County Fire Board and had 65 years of volunteer firefighter service with his department.
He was an experienced mechanic and would maintain the Manassa Fire Department’s fleet of vehicles ensuring their readiness.
Denny Fringer, a fellow firefighter and secretary of the Conejos County Fire Board, looked up to Cordova when as a child he would stop by the fire station.
Fringer told 9News, "I think [Cordova] is a great example of what we should be doing as a community member, of being part of something that is bigger than yourself."
