Oak Park Fire Department In Mourning After Death Of Longtime Firefighter
(CBS) -- The Oak Park Fire Department is in mourning for a longtime firefighter who died Monday night, apparently of a heart attack after finishing 30 hours of work.
For 28 years, Kenneth Harris, 56, was a firefighter in Oak Park.
"Kenny was the first person I was introduced to, my first day," said Deputy Fire Chief Peter Pilafas.
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Pilafas has been with the department 16 years. He says Harris was a ball of energy and a man who loved his job, no matter what advice he gave others.
"Kenny did mention that a couple times to me. He says, 'Don't fall in love with this job because one day it's going to break your heart.'
"And what he meant by that is, one day you're not going to be able to do this job anymore."
Pilafas says Harris worked a 24-hour shift, then a 6-hour shift and later, after he went home, he died.
He is survived by his wife, five children and three grandchildren.
