Texas Sheriff's Deputy Suffers Fatal Heart Attack While Directing Traffic

KINNEY COUNTY, Texas -- A Kinney County Sheriff's deputy suffered a fatal heart attack while on duty Friday.

Deputy Jose Blancarte was directing traffic at the scene of a vehicle fire on Highway 90 near Brackettville when he began to feel ill, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Blancarte requested EMS to his location and paramedics began to perform CPR when he became unresponsive while being transported to a local hospital.

The more than 20-year veteran of the Kinney County Sheriff's Office was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.

He is survived by his wife, four children, mother, and six siblings.

Funeral arrangements are pending.