Coroner Releases Details in New Carlisle Assistant Fire Chief’s Death

New CarlisleNew Carlisle Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook died of blunt force trauma while battling a Tuesday night blaze at a business. The LaPorte County Coroner shared that information with our reporting partners at WNDU-TV. He said Middlebrook suffered a broken neck and injuries consistent with having a roof collapse on him. Firefighters responded to K-Fex near the intersection of U.S. 20 and 800 East in LaPorte County around 9 p.m. Tuesday night and remained there through Wednesday morning. A second firefighter, Matt O’Donnell, was injured. He was treated at a local hospital for a broken ankle, minor burns and smoke inhalation.

Funeral arrangements for Middlebrook are pending. WNDU reports he will have a ceremony and procession with fire escorts. The Indiana Fraternal Order of Police is assisting. They typically handle arrangements for fallen law enforcement officers.