INDIANAPOLIS (WTHR) - Memorial services have been announced for a fallen Decatur Township firefighter.
Lieutenant Tracy Hayden died on Saturday after a fight with leukemia.
A calling will be Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Valley Mills Christian Church.
The funeral will follow at 11 a.m. Friday at Decatur Central High School.
He will be laid to rest at Crown Hill Cemetery.
Instead of flowers, the family suggests donations to Decatur Township Just Cause Foundation or Supporting Heroes, Inc.
It's the first line of duty death in the history of the Decatur Township Fire Department.
"He could light the room up,” said Chief Pascal Arnes. “He always had a huge smile on his face. Tracy is the one who could take a bad environment and everyone was leaving laughing. Tracy will be dearly missed."
The fire believed responsible for Lt. Hayden’s death happened four years ago. He was diagnosed with leukemia in April. After 17 years with the Decatur Township Fire Department, he lost a 7-month battle with leukemia Saturday. Fellow firefighters believe the cause of that cancer can be traced to prolonged exposure to toxic chemicals at a fire he investigated in October 2015.
A stubborn fire burned for a couple days in a storage building in a wooded area at 5453 Seerley Road near Interstate 70. Hayden and fellow investigators learned the fire was fueled by toxic chemicals stored for years at what became an EPA cleanup site. Five containers believed to be metallic (elemental) potassium were involved in the fire.
"Cancer is becoming a big issue for firefighters,” said Lt. Scott McCaughna, who worked with Lt. Hayden and was the best man at his wedding. “We're exposed to it on fires of all kinds. When the new modern furnishings and materials burn, they liberate various chemicals and our bodies absorb that."
On Monday, firefighters kept busy, but subdued, at Decatur Township Fire Station 71, where Lt. Hayden’s gear still hangs in a locker.
"He gave the best hugs in the world,” said Lt. McCaughna. “I wasn't a hugger until Tracy, and he would take you and just hug you deep in your soul - great personality, very bright light, and very well-respected person here at the fire department."
Hayden was promoted to Lieutenant in 2011 and to Division Chief of Fire and Life Safety in 2014. He investigated fires and worked in fire education with schools and businesses.
Lt. Hayden was 38 years old and is survived by his wife, Tammy, and two young sons.
Funeral Arrangements:
CALLING: Thursday Nov. 14, 2019 from 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM at Valley Mills Christian Church 5555 Kentucky Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46221
SERVICE: Friday Nov. 15, 2019 11:00AM at Decatur Central High School 5251 Kentucky Avenue Indianapolis, IN 46221
DRIVE BY: Stations 71, 72 and 74 (see route below)
BURIAL: Gravesite services at Crown Hill Cemetery
The Decatur Township Fire Department released the procession route for Lt. Hayden's funeral Thursday evening: