North Carolina Officer Dies after Medical Issue at Fire

A North Carolina police officer died when he suffered a medical emergency during a fatal house fire Sunday.

Mount Gilead Officer Craig Cloninger was part of the response to a fire that broke out at a home just before midnight Saturday, the department stated in a press release. During the call, Cloninger experienced medical issues and lost consciousness.

Medics at the scene performed lifesaving measures, and Cloninger, 38, was taken to the hospital. Lifesaving measures continued at the hospital, but Cloninger eventually passed away.

"The death of an officer is a tragic event; it touches the hearts and emotions of everyone, not only in the department, but the community as a whole," Chief Pat Preslar stated in the release. "When it involves someone as young as Craig, who has children, it is even more difficult."

During the call, firefighters discovered a body inside the burning home. Investigators from the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and other investigators are looking into the incident.

Cloninger was serving with the Mount Gilead department in a reserve capacity. He started his law enforcement career in 2002 with the Richmond County Sheriff's Office, and he also served with Montgomery County Sheriff's Office and the Briscoe Police Department. 

He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

"We will miss him tremendously as he was an integral part of the Mount Gilead Police Department team," Preslar stated.