Seattle firefighter dies suddenly before shift

SEATTLE — A Seattle firefighter died suddenly before his shift, according to the Seattle Fire Department.

Matt Runte, a firefighter and EMT, passed away Wednesday morning.

In a statement from Seattle Fire, “We are heartbroken by this tragedy and are all grieving the loss of our friend and colleague.”

Runte won the 2015 Seattle Firefighter of the Year.

While receiving the award, Runte thanked his wife, Shannon, their daughter, Emma, and his parents.

“I want to thank my wife, for always being there. My daughter, for being my biggest cheerleader. My parents, my father-in-law, and my crew of amazing people,” Runte said on a video produced by the Seattle Fire Department in 2016.

At this time, there is no cause of death.

A GoFundMe for Runte’s family has been set up and verified, with almost $38,000 donated by Friday afternoon.

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