Salem FF dies unexpectedly while on vacation with wife

SALEM, Mass. — The Salem Fire Department is mourning the loss of a 19-year veteran who suffered a deadly heart attack while on vacation with his wife.

Lt. Scott Hebert had built a career as a firefighter, and knew that any day could be his last, which makes the surprise of an off-duty death especially hard.

"It's like losing a brother,” Deputy Alan Dionne said.

It was late Monday night when Dionne got the call about Hebert’s death in the Dominican Republic.

"He took an ill turn while he was down there and was brought to the hospital and as things progressed he succumbed, had a cardiac arrest, and passed away,” Dionne said.

Hebert was 46 years old and the father of four. Dionne describes him as strong and healthy.

They're the physical traits Hebert's fellow firefighters came to rely on almost as much as his character traits.

"When you're on the scene with a guy like that, his intelligence, his dedication to the job, his willingness to do the job always was a good thing and that's why being around Scott was great,” Dionne said. "It's not going to be the same around here without him.”

Hebert’s wife was greeted at the airport by a group of firefighters as she returned. Funeral arrangements are still being worked out.

Cox Media Group