Fundraiser started for family of West Richland firefighter after his sudden death at 37

West Richland firefighters are reeling from the death of one of their own Friday after he collapsed at home.

Benton County Fire District 4 Lt. Aaron Meloy, 37, was discovered at his Cottonwood Loop home in Richland about 11 a.m.

An autopsy was conducted over the weekend because of his age and the circumstances of his death, Coroner Bill Leach said. While the report isn’t finished, Leach said Meloy died either of natural causes or an accidental reason.

“Everybody here is still processing,” Fire District 4 Chief Paul Carlyle told the Tri-City Herald on Tuesday. “Richland fire was an immense help to us. They came out and covered our area (on Friday).”

Meloy, who grew up in West Richland joined the fire district 16 years ago, said Carlyle. He started as a volunteer before making firefighting his career.

As a lieutenant, he was in charge of the department’s Bombing Range fire station. He also was among the first paramedics in the department when the agency started providing medical service.

“Aaron was a really good people person. ... He was a great fit for the department,” Carlyle said. “He had been here for a long time so he had a lot of institutional memory.”

Family was important to Meloy, who was married with a young son, Carlyle said. He also was involved in his church and played a lot of soccer.

A memorial fund has been set up through Venmo at @aaronmeloymemorialfund. Check and cash donations can be mailed or dropped off at Baker Boyer Bank, 1149 N. Edison St., Suite A, Kennewick, WA 99336.

Checks can be made out to his wife, Danielle Meloy, with “The Aaron Meloy Memorial Fund” in the memo line.

This story was originally published January 30, 2024 at 12:41 PM.