Joliet Fire Department mourns loss of Captain Kevin Hargis – Shaw Local

Joliet Fire Department Captain Kevin Hargis, 52, died at home Saturday.

Michael R. VanOver, deputy chief coroner of the Will County Coroner’s Office, said in a news release Sunday that Hargis died at 9:15 a.m. of “probably natural causes.”

Hargis, 52, was captain of Fire Station No. 7. According to the press release, Joliet police are investigating the incident.

“The sudden death of Captain Hargis, a 22-year veteran of the Joliet Fire Department, on June 29 has left a deep void in our community – his additional years of service in the fire service and as a paramedic have only heightened the magnitude of our loss,” the Joliet Fire Department said on its Facebook page on Saturday.

At the Joliet Fire Department, Hargis was a member of the hazardous materials team and team coordinator/leader. According to the Joliet Fire Department, Hargis was also a member of the safety committee and a CPR instructor, coordinator and trainer.

“The Joliet Fire Department will greatly miss Captain Hargis’ leadership, knowledge and passion for helping others in the community and the fire department,” the Joliet Fire Department said Saturday on its Facebook page.

Hargis is also a former faculty member at Joliet Junior College. The Joliet Junior College Fire/EMS Department said on its Facebook page Saturday that members’ “thoughts are with his family and crew at Joliet 7.”

“Relax, Kevin, your boys are taking over from now on,” Joliet Junior College Fire Science/EMS said on its Facebook page Saturday.

Hargis has received nearly every certification for firefighters in the state of Illinois, including many at the advanced level, according to the fire department. He was also an emergency medical technician instructor and a state-certified emergency medical technician, according to the fire department.

“His training and formal education demonstrate his passion for helping others,” the Joliet Fire Department said on its Facebook page.

Hagis was also a member of Joliet Firefighters Local 44, and on Sunday the local posted on its Facebook page: “Members will greatly miss Captain Hargis, his leadership, knowledge and passion for helping others.”

“The Hargis family and those closest to him will remain in our thoughts during this difficult time,” Local 44 said on its Facebook page.

An autopsy was performed Saturday, according to a press release from the Will County Coroner’s Office.

The final cause and manner of death will be determined after the autopsy and police and toxicology reports, the press release said.