In an update to our earlier reports, Shelby County Emergency Management Operations Officer Jason Wickizer, Sunday, provided additional information with regard to the death of Earling Fire Chief Tom Henrich. According to the report, at around 2:40-p.m. Saturday, Henrich fell ill while working a fire call involving a combine and field fire. Immediate Emergency Medical Assistance was provided by Shelby County Sheriff’s Deputies, Earling, Defiance and Irwin EMT’s, who witnessed the incident.

Chief Henrich was transported to Myrtue Medical Center in Harlan. Wickizer said “Unfortunately Chief Henrich did not survived the event. Funeral arrangements are pending, and will be announced {later}.” The incident occurred in the vicinity of Highway 37 and Hazel Road, in Shelby County. Numerous posts of condolences, and support for Earling Fire Department personnel and Henrich’s family, have been posted on social media sites.