A Kentucky firefighter with nearly four decades of service died protecting his wife as a powerful tornado tore through southeastern Kentucky, leaving devastation in its wake, according to the Laurel County Fire Department.
Major Leslie Leatherman, 57, was among 19 people killed in Kentucky when a tornado struck late Friday into early Saturday.
The storm ripped through the Appalachian foothills, destroying homes and claiming lives.
Leatherman’s last moments were spent shielding his wife, Michelle, from flying debris as the tornado ravaged their community, according to Terry Wattenbarger, deputy chief of the Laurel County Fire Department.
Timeline of Tragedy
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly as severe weather warnings were issued late Friday night. At 11:07 p.m., a tornado was confirmed on the ground in Somerset, Kentucky, prompting the National Weather Service to issue several warnings for surrounding areas, including Laurel County, according to the fire department.At 11:47 p.m., a fire alarm was reported at 582 Sunshine Hills Road. Leatherman responded from his home, confirming via radio that he was en route to assist.
Within minutes, reports of a trapped person and a structural collapse signaled widespread destruction in the Sunshine Hills community. Lieutenant James Spicer, another firefighter on the scene, reported a tornado on the ground and requested all county fire departments be paged for response. Emergency responders soon discovered the Leathermans in the field, but due to the darkness and chaos, they did not immediately recognize the couple.
A Legacy of Service
Leatherman’s colleagues and community members described him as a dedicated public servant whose selfless actions showcased the best example of emergency response.“His entire life, he’s been a dedicated public servant. He had a huge heart. He loved his family more than anything … and just truly enjoyed life and was just a really good person,” said Wattenbarger.
Leatherman, known as “Les,” began his career as an emergency medical technician in Laurel County before becoming an emergency dispatcher for local authorities and the Kentucky State Police.
Most recently, he served as assistant director for the 911 center in neighboring Whitley County, according to Whitley County Judge-Executive Pat White Jr.
“He was a very sincere man, very hard working, a very dedicated man. Somebody that younger people getting into emergency services in this region looked up to and looked to for guidance. He was a great mentor to many of them. We're sure going to miss him,” White said.
Community in Mourning
The loss of Leatherman has sent shock waves through the close knit ranks of the Laurel County Fire Department.“We are surviving. That’s the only way we can describe it. People say ‘Are you all OK?’ No we’re not. We’re not OK. We’re surviving, though, because that’s what he would want. We want to honor his legacy as a department,” Wattenbarger said.
The department has lowered flags in his honor at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial and is coordinating with the family for funeral arrangements.
The Laurel County Fire Department urged residents to remain aware of the weather as more severe storms threatened the area in the days following the tornado.