Excerpts from restart.com:
Freeport Rural Fire Department Lt. Eric Kohlbauer died Tuesday after an apparent medical emergency arose while he prepared to train, Fire Chief Mike Wichman said.
Stephenson County Coroner Tom Leamon said an autopsy performed confirmed Kohlbauer died of a heart-related medical problem. Tests are being conducted to determine whether prescription medication or other drugs were in his system.
Kohlbauer, 52, had volunteered 29 years for the rural fire department and was not known to suffer from any medical condition. Wichman said volunteers had set up a portable tank about 7:30 p.m. when Kohlbauer bent and collapsed. Those on site tried to help.
“His eyes were open, but he wasn’t communicating,” Wichman said.
An ambulance arrived within minutes and transported him to FHN Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead “within the hour,” Wichman said.
Stephenson County Sheriff David Snyders said Kohlbauer had been a maintenance supervisor at the Stephenson County Courthouse since 2003.
