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Posted: 9:57 AM May 7, 2008
Firefighter Widow Says City Hasn't Paid for Funeral
City manager Norton Bonaparte says he is working with Fire Chief Howard Giles to pay for the funeral, which was attended by more than five-hundred firefighters, after Councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz broached the family's concerns.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) _ The wife of a Topeka Fire Department captain who died battling a blaze last August says the city still has not paid for his funeral.
Anthony Cox collapsed while taking a break from fighting a two-alarm fire at an apartment complex on Aug. 13, 2007. The Shawnee County coroner said the 44-year-old veteran firefighter died of heart disease and heat.
More than 500 firefighters and hundreds of friends attended Cox's funeral on Aug. 20.
His wife, Karrie Youngbear Cox, and his son born four months after Cox's death will be presented with the Medal of Valor at a special ceremony Wednesday night.
City councilwoman Sylvia Ortiz says Cox's family came to her with their concerns about the unpaid bill. City Manager Norton Bonaparte says he is working with Fire Chief Howard Giles to take care of it.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Latest Comments
City of Topeka sure looks like an a$$ on this. This shouldn't ever been left out to pay - OOH then again they want to spend thousands on a helicopter that's NOT needed. So much for the city taken care of it's employees - dies in the line of duty and they won't pay up!!
The heat from the fire and the heat outside that day killed him. After it gets so hot, your body can't take it and your heart is the first to go! Your not putting your life on the line everyday to protect people and property. You also don't have a contract with your employer stating they will provide you with these benefits should you get in an acccident or die on the job. He did! The city should of paid this a long time ago. Along with the work comp benefits for his children! It has been 9 months since he has passed!
In addition to his funeral the city has yet to pay his children the work comp benefits they are entitled to since last August
