Sun staff
The community of Williamsburg Township is reacting to the loss of Fire Lieutenant David Knapke, who died June 5 after suffering a sudden cardiac event during a house fire in Mt. Orab a week earlier on May 30.
“Everybody’s just in shock,” said Williamsburg Township Emergency Services Chief Kevin Wiedemann.
Knapke, 55, was on a mutual aid run in Mt. Orab with fellow Williamsburg Township firefighters when he collapsed as his crew was packing up, according to township officials. He had to be resuscitated at the scene and was rushed to Mercy Health Center and then shortly thereafter airlifted to University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment. As Knapke’s level of responsiveness diminished, he was moved to Hospice of Cincinnati, where he died on June 5.
“Treatment test results revealed brain damage which is incompatible with David’s wishes for life,” Captain Daniel Bainum stated in a press release.
Knapke had more than 30 years of service with the Williamsburg Fire Department, and according to Williamsburg Trustee Gary Johnson, Knapke’s family has a history of serving as firefighters.
“It’s the death of a legacy. He served, his father served and his son serves right behind him. In so many cases, that’s the way it is which people in emergency services,” said Johnson. “It was an honor and a privilege to have him counsel us in leadership.”
According to Wiedemann, Knapke’s death is the first line of duty death that Williamsburg Township has had, and he hopes it’s the last.
“It’s going to be a great loss,” said Widemann. “He was a dedicated fire and EMS employee. He’d volunteer to pick up stuff and help us out in any way he could. He was a knowledgeable man, a very knowledgeable man.”
Visitation is scheduled for June 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Clear Mountain Community Church on Tollgate Road in Batavia. Masonic services will be held at 4 p.m.
Knapke’s funeral is scheduled for June 12 at 10 a.m., also at Clear Mountain Community Church.
Fire officials are asking for donations to support Knapke’s family, and a public fund has been created at the Peoples Bank of Williamsburg.