La. firefighter-EMT laid to rest after dying from COVID-19 complications

By Laura French

SHREVEPORT, La. — A Louisiana firefighter and advanced EMT who died in the line of duty due to COVID-19 earlier this month was celebrated and laid to rest in a ceremony on Saturday. 

Shreveport Firefighter-EMT Leonard Coney, 41, died from virus complications on Jan. 6; his death was declared a line-of-duty death by the U.S Fire Administration (USFA). According to the USFA, he treated and transported COVID-19 patients on Dec. 23 and Dec. 25 prior to contracting the virus. 

A celebration of life and funeral service was held on Saturday, where loved ones, colleagues and local officials, including Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins, gathered to honor Coney, according to KTBS. After the service, Coney's family was presented the Martin E. Pierce Line of Duty Death Medal.

Coney worked for nearly 14 years at the Shreveport Fire Department, assigned to Medic 5 at Fire Station No. 5. 

"Leonard Coney was a public servant in the truest sense of the term. He made the ultimate sacrifice while serving his city during a public health emergency and the City of Shreveport will be forever grateful," Perkins said in a statement. "I ask that everyone join me in praying for Mr. Coney's family during this difficult time, and that they honor his legacy by helping slow the spread of the virus in our community." 

Coney was escorted in Medic 5 to Centuries Memorial Park Cemetery for burial following a service at First Baptist Church, which was closed to the public due to the pandemic and livestreamed on the Shreveport Fire Department's Facebook page.