The Oklahoma City Fire Department announced on Monday that Major Andy Davis, who died on Christmas Eve, caught the COVID-19 virus while answering a call.
His death was followed by the death of a second fire department employee, Robert Saudia, a support services specialist who died on Monday at his home in southern Oklahoma City. Both men died at the age of 45.
Davis and Saudia are among the 171 fire department employees who contracted the virus, 148 of whom have already recovered. No further details were available on Monday about Saudia’s death. He was hired by force for two years.
Fire Chief Richard Kelley fought back tears at a press conference on Monday afternoon while talking about Davis, a 20-year-old veteran who worked at No. 10 Fire Department on NW 16 with Pennsylvania Avenue, west of Plaza District.
“Andy was fun and loving,” said Kelley. “It was a joy to be around, as there was always a funny story or catch phrase to make you laugh. He was the type of fireman you always wanted at the scene of the incident because you knew he would always do the job. “
Davis came from a family of firefighters who served the city for half a century. He was the son of retired captain Johnny Davis, brother of Deputy Chief Tony Davis and Major Scott Davis and uncle of the Cpl. AJ Davis.
“It’s a family that has served this community for many years,” said Kelley. “We suffer with your family and we want to do everything we can for this family.”
Davis developed his first symptoms on December 11. He was tested by the fire department medical unit and tested positive for COVID-19. On December 15, he was coughing and suffering from coughing, headaches, fever and fatigue. He was admitted to the hospital the next day.