By Josh Mitchell
Wyoming Tribune-Eagle
CHEYENNE, Wyo. -— Cheyenne Fire and Rescue firefighter and paramedic Lt. Michael Head died Wednesday night while working on a piece of equipment in his garage, according to Laramie County Coroner Marty Luna.
The death remains under investigation by the coroner’s office.
Head, 42, was found deceased by his wife around 6 p.m. in the garage of his residence at 1067 Prairie Grass Lane south of Burns.
It is unclear how long he had been dead before his wife found him, said Luna, who would not elaborate on how Head died.
She was not at home when he died, Luna added.
Head had worked for the fire department for more than 15 years, said Fire Chief James Martin.
“We’re still in shock,” Martin said. “You just can’t replace an individual like that.”
Head cared about protecting the public and his fellow firefighters, Martin added, noting that he was levelheaded and calm.
“It’s like we lost a family member,” he said.
Martin described Head as an “integral part of the department.”
There will be a service at the Cheyenne Civic Center at 11 a.m. Monday, followed by a reception at the Cheyenne Depot.
Luna said an autopsy was conducted Thursday and that toxicology results may not be available for a few weeks.
Copyright 2011 Cheyenne Newspapers, Inc.