Major Leslie Leatherman, a 39-year veteran of the Laurel County Fire Department, was tragically killed while responding to a fire alarm when the tornado touched down.

Multiple fatalities have been confirmed in Laurel County, Kentucky following a reported tornado. Saturday morning, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that nine people died and others had numerous severe injuries after the reported tornado.

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.