A fire captain in Missouri died while operating at a fire on Saturday, according to a release from the department.
Johnson County Fire Protection District Captain Vernon Collett died in the line of duty while battling a natural cover fire on March 8, 2025. Captain Collett served out of the District’s Station 6 located near Valley City.
At 1:45 p.m., the district was dispatched to a reported fast-moving half acre field fire in the 600 block of NE MM Highway in rural Johnson County. Captain Collett arrived and began extinguishing a fire line when he collapsed.
District personnel located Captain Collett and administered CPR and multiple shocks using an AED. Johnson County Ambulance District and Lifeflight Eagle responded and continued lifesaving efforts at the scene for nearly an hour but were unable to revive him.
“It is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that we mourn the loss of Captain Vernon Collett, who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to his community,” said Fire Chief Larry Jennings. “His passing marks an immeasurable loss for our department, his family, and the entire community he so selflessly served. Today is a tragic day for our District and a somber reminder of the risks our firefighters face daily.”
Captain Collett served the Johnson County Fire Protection District for 29 years, serving all 29 years assigned to the District’s Station 6 and serving as a Captain since January 2011.
