WINCHESTER, VA — A former member of the Martinsburg-based 167th Airlift Wing of the West Virginia Air National Guard died Sunday afternoon not long after fighting a fire in Frederick County, Virginia.
The Frederick County (Virginia) Fire and Rescue Department announced Deputy Chief Chester Lauck died Sunday morning at Winchester Medical Center surrounded by family and friends.
“Chief Lauck suffered a cardiac event at his home very early Saturday morning several hours after engaging in firefighting operations on a wildland fire on Back Creek Road in Gore, Virginia. Given the circumstances surrounding his death, his passing is being considered a Line-Of-Duty Death with all associated honors and recognitions,” the department said.
Lauck previously served with the 167th as an aircraft rescue and firefighter.
“Chief Lauck selflessly served the greater Frederick County community for decades in a variety of roles and his passing is a tremendous loss to his family, friends, our Fire and Rescue Family, and the greater community,” the rescue department said.
The announcement said Lauck had most recently been responsible for the Emergency Management Division.
Lauck had retired from the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Fire and Rescue Department as a Battalion Chief responsible for the Special Operations Division. He served in various positions as Firefighter/Medic, Lieutenant, Captain, and Battalion Chief over a 22-year period from 1985 to 2007. He worked for Winchester Fire and Rescue Department prior to going to the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA).