John Saunders of the Tri-Community Joint Fire Department and Lieutenant Paul Mickolick of the Town and Country Fire District in West Salem, both died last week.
WEST SALEM, Ohio — Firefighters across Northeast Ohio are extending support to two area departments grieving the loss of two first responders killed in the line of duty, less than a week apart.
John Saunders, 41, of the Tri-Community Joint Fire Department, and Lieutenant Paul Mickolick, 43, of the Town and Country Fire District in West Salem, both died last week while serving their communities.
On Wednesday, April 16, firefighters responded to a burning home in Willard. The emergency quickly escalated when one of the first responders, Saunders, was found in the basement of the home. He was transported to Mercy Hospital, but was later pronounced dead.
Support from Ohio fire departments began pouring in immediately following Saunders’ death, including from the Town and Country Fire District in West Salem.
Just two days later, that same fire district faced a tragedy of its own.
On Friday night, West Salem Fire Lieutenant Paul Mickolick was assisting a driver who had become stuck in a ditch when tragedy struck. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, both Mickolick and the driver were hit by another vehicle that veered off the right side of Stratton Road.
Both men were taken to Cleveland Clinic Lodi Hospital. The initial caller was later flown to Akron General Hospital with serious injuries. Mickolick died from his injuries.
A fundraiser created for Mickolick’s family revealed he was a husband and father to two children, ages 13 and 9.
In a post shared by the fire department, it was noted that Mickolick had served 16 years as a flight paramedic with Cleveland Clinic and spent four and a half years with the department.
Town and County Fire Chief Adam Hory noted that “Lieutenant Mickolick was a mentor, a brother, and a true hero. His passion for the fire service and his deep-rooted dedication to this community will never be forgotten.”
