GoFundMe Started For Family Of Former Cherokee Firefighter

CHEROKEE COUNTY, GA — A husband, father to three children and former Cherokee County firefighter died Sunday while battling a fire in Missouri.

Chuck McCormick, who worked for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services from 2014 until 2017, was working a fire reported at 11 a.m. Sunday at the 23300 block of Deer Run Road in Peculiar, which is 35 miles south of downtown Kansas City.

The fire apparently started in the laundry room of the home. As firefighters made entry, McCormick fell through the floor near the front door into the basement and was critically injured. Earlier reports indicated that McCormick was unable to exit the home before the roof collapsed. McCormick suffered critical injuries and died later at a hospital.

McCormick, who was 30, leaves behind a wife, Rachel, and three sons ages 4, 5 and 7-years-old.

McCormick came to work for Cherokee County Fire and Emergency Services in October 2014 and graduated from firefighter recruit school in January 2015. He worked out of Fire Station No. 22, on Bells Ferry Road near Bridgemill. McCormick left the department in October 2017 and was working with West Peculiar Fire Department at the time of his death.

Cherokee County Fire Chief Tim Prather said he was deeply saddened to hear about the loss of McCormick.

"He had successfully completed our recruit training and had advanced up to Fire Apparatus Operator up until the time he resigned from Cherokee Fire in 2017 moving to Missouri," Prather said. "I understand that Mr. McCormick was very respected by fellow firefighters and had established personal relationships with Cherokee Fire personnel that continued up until his passing. Part of that continued relationship brought Mr. McCormick back here a few months ago to be part of a wedding ceremony for one of our firefighters whom he previously worked with."

In honor of his contribution and sacrifice to the fire service, Cherokee Fire personnel will wear the traditional mourning badge in honor of the loss McCormick, Prather said.

"We send our condolences out to the family of Mr. McCormick," he said.

A GoFundMe has been set up to assist the family, and has raised nearly $18,000 as of 2 p.m. on Monday from more than 270 donors.

"Chucky will be remembered by his amazing personality and contagious positive attitude," the organizer wrote. "He always had a smile on his face no matter the circumstances. All donations will be given to Chuck's family and used in whatever way the McCormick family may need."