ST. PAUL, Minn. -- A St. Paul firefighter who retired nine years ago has died in the line of duty.
50-year-old Ramon Hain of Roseville contracted a disease in 1996 when, as a firefighter and emergency medical technician, he came in contact with a patient's fluids. The disease destroyed his heart.
But, a transplant in 1998 gave him 11 more years with his wife and with his two daughters, ages 12 and 14.
The St. Paul Fire Department said Monday Hain died of heart failure on Nov. 14.
Hain's death is the fire department's first loss in the line of duty since 1989, when fire investigator Gary Skoglund died following an overnight blaze.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
