Terre Haute firefighter dies of COVID-19

Terre Haute firefighter dies of COVID-19

Tonight the sign outside terre haute fire station 5 reads... "keep t-h-f-d family in your prayers."

This family lost a brother this easter sunday.

Good evening and thank you for joining us.

Terre haute firefighter john schoff-stall has died.

An 11-year veteran with the department... he had experience battling smoke and fire... but recently -- he had been fighting a much different opponent... this one invisible... but no less destructive.

Fire chief jeff fisher says the coronavirus claimed his life this easter morning.

Now his son... and brother in the department are remembering his legacy.

It's tonight's top story.

Procession video flashing lights -- and quiet... first responders and families lined the streets of terre haute easter morning as fire trucks escorted the body of firefighter john schoff-stall to fitzpatrick funeral home.

Start covered with processional: "from a spiritual standpoint i guess there's no greater day to come home to see our father than easter, you know, the resurrection of his son."

His pic john schoff-stall served terre haute for 11-years.

Station video he worked at station 5 in downtown terre haute.

The "heroes work here" sign sitting outside -- taking on an even greater meaning.

Schoff-stall died of covid-19... the disease caused by the coronavirus.

His son... now remembering the good times with dad.

Start covered still with station: "he dedicated his life to the fire service.

We got to make a lot of memories and i think the time that he was here we got to do a lot of stuff that some kids don't get to do but it was truly a great time with my father."

People passing by station video hours after his death... people could be seen outside the fire station... kneeling to pray... and pay their respect.

Fellow firefighters started at the station -- driving past schoff-stall's family home as a sign of support.

Pic of swearing-in tim murphy worked alongside schoff-stall for more than a decade.

"you know, we swore in together.

We've lived our lives together.

We've raised our kids in the same community.

We don't just interact at the fire house, you know, we have a relationship.

All of us, we have relationships outside of work."

Back to procession now... firefighters will stand guard over schoff-stall's body until he is laid to rest.

His son... vowing to give him the best possible service under the circumstances.

Those who knew him best now taking comfort in the knowledge this hero was loved and acknowledged by many.

"he was a hero throughout his whole life."

Now... we have now...