One of the tragic deaths related to a tornado that struck Laurel Co. on Friday night was a firefighter who died shielding his wife from a tornado.
On Friday night at 11:47, Major Leslie Leatherman responded from his residence to a fire alarm at 582 Sunshine Hills Road. The Laurel Co. Fire Department, over the next few minutes, received an alert about a person trapped at a residence followed by a report of a structural collapse on Sunshine Hills Road, a subdivision devastated by the EF-3 twister.
Upon arriving on Sunshine Hills Road, emergency responders discovered two individuals in a field off Sunshine Hills Road.
“An unidentified conscious female was calling for help and a male was found lying on top of her, unresponsive. Responders removed the male and treated the female, who was transported to the hospital by EMS. The male was confirmed deceased,” according to the Laurel Co. Fire Department.
Between midnight and 12:30 a.m., attempts to reach Leatherman by radio were unsuccessful, resulting in a search effort being launched.
During this time, first responders revisited the earlier field fatality where two firefighters confirmed the identity of the deceased male as Leatherman.
“It appears that Major Leatherman was responding to the initial fire alarm when the tornado struck,” the Laurel Co. Fire Department said. “Upon encountering the injured female, he used his body to shield her from further harm. He was fatally injured in the process. The female was later identified as his wife, Michelle Leatherman, who was critically injured.”
It is unknown if Leatherman was aware it was his wife he was shielding due to the extreme darkness, noise and the traumatic events taking place.
“Major Leatherman’s selfless actions exemplify the highest ideals of public service and sacrifice,” the fire department said in a social media post. “His commitment to duty and protection of others, even under the most dangerous conditions, will never be forgotten. The Laurel County Fire Department honors his legacy and mourns the loss of a brother, leader, and hero.”
(Photo: Major Leslie Leatherman, courtesy of the Laurel Co. Fire Dept.)
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
