Duty Death: Franklin Williams - [Detroit]
End of Service: 08/04/2020
By Laura French
DETROIT — A Detroit fire captain has died due to complications from COVID-19.
Detroit Fire Department Capt. Franklin Williams Jr., 58, died on Wednesday from a heart attack while doctors were trying to put him on a ventilator, according to ClickOnDetroit.
Williams was a 32-year veteran of the department, according to WXYZ. He is survived by his wife and seven children.
Detroit Fire Fighters Association President Tom Gehart told WXYZ he believes Williams was exposed to the virus while on duty, and that the department is currently seeing about 500 medical calls day. Gehart estimated that about half of those calls are COVID-19-related.
Gehart said Williams was a hard worker, who would come to work early every morning and prepare things for his crew.
A total of 53 Detroit firefighters have tested positive for COVID-19, the department reported.