Former Indianapolis Homeland Security Chief Passes Away

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The Indianapolis Fire Department is mourning the loss of former firefighter and former Indianapolis Homeland Security Chief Gary Coons, who IFD Chief Ernest Malone said passed away Sunday. According to several reports, Chief Coons passed away after his battle with Parkinson's Disease. In a tweet, Chief Malone said, “Firefighter, Friend, Father, Brother, Son & selfless servant to our city. On behalf of all @IFD_NEWS we mourn the unexpected loss of Chief Gary Coons today and hope that his family finds peace knowing he was loved by all. TY for your service Gary & #RIP (praying hands).”

Before his death, Chief Coons was serving as manager for Indianapolis’ Emergency Operations Center.

He's being remembered by community officials, including Mayor Joe Hogsett, who said in a statement, "Gary was a tireless public servant and Indianapolis is a safer place because of his decades of leadership. I would ask that our community join Steph and I in expressing our deepest sympathies and heartfelt gratitude to the entire Coons family. - Joe."

You may be gone from our sight, but your legacy will live on in the hearts of all the lives you touched. Thoughts and prayers go out to Chief Coons family during this difficult time #RIP #GoneButNotForgotten pic.twitter.com/z6EAQoID9t
— IMPD (@IMPDnews) May 13, 2018

Patch will continue to update this story.

Photo credit: IFD, Chief Ernest Malone