PAW PAW, Mich. (WWMT) — A Michigan firefighter is being hailed a hero, with his chief saying the firefighter gave the "ultimate sacrifice" in serving his community.
Ethan Quillen, 28, was a father, a Marine and remembered as a devoted firefighter. He served at the Paw Paw Fire Department in Michigan since 2019.
“When Ethan became a lieutenant on Engine 1, his last words ... that day were, 'I won’t let you down, chief,'" Paw Paw Fire Chief Jim DeGroff said. "That thought never crossed my mind. But now I’m not going to let him down or his family down.”
Quillen left the dinner table Feb. 22 to respond to a downed power line, expecting to return home shortly to his wife and young child.
He gave the ultimate sacrifice, he left his dinner table, a 20-minute call, right?" DeGroff said. "Get it done, go back home, back to your family, and eat your dinner. We do it hundreds of times a year. He didn’t make it back home.”The original power line was handled, but further down a tree broke, causing a power line to collapse and electrocute Quillen, according to Michigan State Police.
Now, flowers, memorabilia and a hand-drawn picture of the fallen hero line the inside of the Paw Paw Fire Department.
The memorial has continued to grow since his death, with a stuffed firefighter, his Marines hat and notes from the small community and beyond.
“He always had the smile,” the chief said. “He was always happy with life and got along with everyone. We will never replace him.”
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