St. Paul firefighter collapses, dies

A St. Paul firefighter died of cardiac arrest Monday after he collapsed while on duty.

Shane Clifton, a 38-year-old firefighter and paramedic, was working at Fire Station No. 14, 111 Snelling Av. N., when he collapsed, according to fire officials. His colleagues immediately began treatment and took him to Regions Hospital. The staff there worked several hours to save his life, fire officials said.

Clifton was a U.S. Navy veteran who was named Command Sailor of the Year in 2001 aboard the USS Curtis Wilbur. He worked as an emergency department technician for Unity Hospital in Fridley and Allina EMS before joining the St. Paul Fire Department in 2007.

This is the 63rd St. Paul firefighter to die in the line of duty and the first since Ray Hain died in 2009.

STAFF REPORT