JD Lawson was 54 years old.
By Steve Green
Executive Editor
A retired Berlin police officer died Monday night responding to a structure fire in West Virginia. J.D. Lawson was 54.
After his retirement from the Berlin Police Department in 2023 as a lieutenant, Lawson returned to his hometown of War, W.Va. During his time with Berlin, Lawson was also an active member with the Ocean City Volunteer Fire Company for nearly 20 years.
According to a press release from the West Virginia State Fire Marshal, Lawson, 54, died responding to a structure fire in McDowell County, W.Va.
Around 7:25 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, McDowell County 911 received a report of a structure fire in the 12000 block of Marshall Highway in Jolo, W.Va. The War Volunteer Fire Department responded along with the Bradshaw Volunteer Fire Department and Raysal Volunteer Fire Department.
On to the way to fight the fire, Lawson, a deputy chief with the War Volunteer Fire Department, became ill, according to the press release. The fire apparatus driver immediately turned the truck around and started driving in the direction of Welch Community Hospital. The team met up with an EMS unit and transferred Lawson to that unit.
The ambulance continued to Welch Community Hospital with Lawson, who became unconscious, and CPR efforts were initiated by the attending EMS crew. Lawson was later pronounced dead at the hospital. An autopsy has been ordered. The West Virginia State Fire Marshal’s Office is considering Lawson’s passing a “line of duty death.”
At the fire scene, a Bradshaw volunteer firefighter collapsed with difficulty breathing and smoke inhalation. That firefighter, Gary M. Coleman, 51, from Jolo, W.Va., was transported to a landing zone where he was flown to CAMC General Division in Charleston. Coleman was treated and released. The structure that was on fire was Coleman’s residence. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
After completing his law enforcement career in Berlin two years ago, Lawson returned to West Virginia to work as a heavy equipment operator and continued his public service career with the War Volunteer Fire Company.
In April 2024, Lawson was featured in this newspaper’s weekly OCVFC Spotlight article. Lawson said he was grateful for “the opportunity to mold new and old members of the OCVFC into a proud team with the skills, ability, and knowledge to safely and efficiently provide fire and rescue services to the residents and visitors to the Town of Ocean City.”
On its Facebook page Wednesday, the Berlin Police Department wrote, “We … have been trying to find the words but find ourselves at a loss and with heavy hearts. Retired Lieutenant JD Lawson will forever live in our memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and all those affected.”