He spent his life protecting the community and in the end, he did the same thing,” Kentucky fire chief says about Major Roger Leslie Leatherman, who was found atop his wife during Friday’s tornado.

A little boy from Laurel County, Kentucky is undergoing life-saving cancer treatment at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, but now a tornado has destroyed their house back home.

Fire officials say a first responder was found on top of his wife, shielding her from the tornado, and he may have even known it was her.

A family in London is recovering after losing their home of nearly five decades on Airview Drive after Friday's tornado. "When it hit it really surprised me," Daniel Henderson said. Henderson and his wife were in their basement when the tornado hit, saying they walked out of the basement around 1:15 Saturday morning.

Friday’s EF-3 tornado is responsible for 17 deaths in Laurel County and two more in neighboring areas. But in the wake of tragedy, people there and from outside the area are stepping up to help out.

A reported tornado claimed lives in Laurel County, causing destruction and displacing many. Shelters are open and efforts are underway to help those affected.

Flags at the Laurel County Fire Department are flying at half-staff in memory of Major Leslie Leatherman, who began as a volunteer at the department over 30 years ago.

Major Roger Leslie Leatherman of the Laurel County Fire Department in Kentucky died in the line of duty while responding to a recent tornado just shy of his 39-year anniversary with the department.