A Marietta firefighter who had been with the fire department for almost 20 years is believed to have been the first ever to die in the line of duty.
Fire Engineer Lonnie Nutt, with Engine 53, died Thursday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta after responding to a car accident on Whitlock Avenue.
Marietta Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Scott Tucker said doctors think the 49-year-old firefighter had a heart attack. "Lonnie's our first firefighter that's died in the line of duty that we're aware of," Tucker said.
Nutt joined the fire department in 1994. He worked his way up through the ranks and most recently served as a firefighter engineer.
Tucker said he worked with Nutt on their department's investigations team. "He had a desire to do inspections and investigations, and he was very good at it, but he was eventually promoted and went on to do other things," Tucker said. "We were hoping he would come back to the fire prevention division and use some of those skills."
Tucker said Nutt enjoyed his job and was conscious of its importance. "He loved his job so much that he rode in an ambulance on his days off," he said.
Nutt was stationed at the department off Whitlock Avenue, so Tucker said his late co-worker had an opportunity to work with many of the city residents fondly called "Old Mariettans."
"These firefighters who deal with the public and some of the same public several times," Tucker said. "They are very good with people and very invested in Marietta, and Lonnie was one of those people."
Nutt was originally from Oklahoma and has a daughter in her early 20s who lives outside Georgia, Tucker said. He was married to his wife, Rosa, for about a year. "She made him happier than he'd ever been before, I believe," Tucker said. "It was just a really good relationship."
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
The visitation will be at Roswell Street Baptist Church on Monday, between 4 and 7 p.m., with the funeral being at the same church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and a graveside ceremony at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery following.
THE FIREFIGHTER'S PRAYER
When I'm called to duty god
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
Fire Engineer Lonnie Nutt, with Engine 53, died Thursday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta after responding to a car accident on Whitlock Avenue.
Marietta Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Scott Tucker said doctors think the 49-year-old firefighter had a heart attack. "Lonnie's our first firefighter that's died in the line of duty that we're aware of," Tucker said.
Nutt joined the fire department in 1994. He worked his way up through the ranks and most recently served as a firefighter engineer.
Tucker said he worked with Nutt on their department's investigations team. "He had a desire to do inspections and investigations, and he was very good at it, but he was eventually promoted and went on to do other things," Tucker said. "We were hoping he would come back to the fire prevention division and use some of those skills."
Tucker said Nutt enjoyed his job and was conscious of its importance. "He loved his job so much that he rode in an ambulance on his days off," he said.
Nutt was stationed at the department off Whitlock Avenue, so Tucker said his late co-worker had an opportunity to work with many of the city residents fondly called "Old Mariettans."
"These firefighters who deal with the public and some of the same public several times," Tucker said. "They are very good with people and very invested in Marietta, and Lonnie was one of those people."
Nutt was originally from Oklahoma and has a daughter in her early 20s who lives outside Georgia, Tucker said. He was married to his wife, Rosa, for about a year. "She made him happier than he'd ever been before, I believe," Tucker said. "It was just a really good relationship."
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
The visitation will be at Roswell Street Baptist Church on Monday, between 4 and 7 p.m., with the funeral being at the same church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and a graveside ceremony at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery following.
THE FIREFIGHTER'S PRAYER
When I'm called to duty god
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
A Marietta firefighter who had been with the fire department for almost 20 years is believed to have been the first ever to die in the line of duty.
Fire Engineer Lonnie Nutt, with Engine 53, died Thursday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta after responding to a car accident on Whitlock Avenue.
Marietta Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Scott Tucker said doctors think the 49-year-old firefighter had a heart attack. "Lonnie's our first firefighter that's died in the line of duty that we're aware of," Tucker said.
Nutt joined the fire department in 1994. He worked his way up through the ranks and most recently served as a firefighter engineer.
Tucker said he worked with Nutt on their department's investigations team. "He had a desire to do inspections and investigations, and he was very good at it, but he was eventually promoted and went on to do other things," Tucker said. "We were hoping he would come back to the fire prevention division and use some of those skills."
Tucker said Nutt enjoyed his job and was conscious of its importance. "He loved his job so much that he rode in an ambulance on his days off," he said.
Nutt was stationed at the department off Whitlock Avenue, so Tucker said his late co-worker had an opportunity to work with many of the city residents fondly called "Old Mariettans."
"These firefighters who deal with the public and some of the same public several times," Tucker said. "They are very good with people and very invested in Marietta, and Lonnie was one of those people."
Nutt was originally from Oklahoma and has a daughter in her early 20s who lives outside Georgia, Tucker said. He was married to his wife, Rosa, for about a year. "She made him happier than he'd ever been before, I believe," Tucker said. "It was just a really good relationship."
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
The visitation will be at Roswell Street Baptist Church on Monday, between 4 and 7 p.m., with the funeral being at the same church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and a graveside ceremony at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery following.
THE FIREFIGHTER'S PRAYER
When I'm called to duty god
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
Fire Engineer Lonnie Nutt, with Engine 53, died Thursday at WellStar Kennestone Hospital in Marietta after responding to a car accident on Whitlock Avenue.
Marietta Assistant Chief and Fire Marshal Scott Tucker said doctors think the 49-year-old firefighter had a heart attack. "Lonnie's our first firefighter that's died in the line of duty that we're aware of," Tucker said.
Nutt joined the fire department in 1994. He worked his way up through the ranks and most recently served as a firefighter engineer.
Tucker said he worked with Nutt on their department's investigations team. "He had a desire to do inspections and investigations, and he was very good at it, but he was eventually promoted and went on to do other things," Tucker said. "We were hoping he would come back to the fire prevention division and use some of those skills."
Tucker said Nutt enjoyed his job and was conscious of its importance. "He loved his job so much that he rode in an ambulance on his days off," he said.
Nutt was stationed at the department off Whitlock Avenue, so Tucker said his late co-worker had an opportunity to work with many of the city residents fondly called "Old Mariettans."
"These firefighters who deal with the public and some of the same public several times," Tucker said. "They are very good with people and very invested in Marietta, and Lonnie was one of those people."
Nutt was originally from Oklahoma and has a daughter in her early 20s who lives outside Georgia, Tucker said. He was married to his wife, Rosa, for about a year. "She made him happier than he'd ever been before, I believe," Tucker said. "It was just a really good relationship."
The funeral arrangements are being handled by Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home in Marietta.
The visitation will be at Roswell Street Baptist Church on Monday, between 4 and 7 p.m., with the funeral being at the same church on Tuesday at 11 a.m. and a graveside ceremony at Kennesaw Memorial Cemetery following.
THE FIREFIGHTER'S PRAYER
When I'm called to duty god
wherever flames may rage
give me strength to save a life
whatever be its age
Help me to embrace a little child
before it is too late
or save an older person from
the horror of that fate
Enable me to be alert
to hear the weakest shout
and quickly and efficiently
to put the fire out
I want to fill my calling and
to give the best in me
to guard my neighbor and
protect his property
And if according to your will
I have to lose my life
bless with your protecting hand
my children and my wife.
