CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Fallen firefighter Richard Sheltra is being remembered by those who knew him as a friendly guy with a big smile, who cared about people and died doing what he loved.
Sheltra, 20, was a volunteer member of the Pineville Fire Department.
Over the weekend, Sheltra was battling a fire at a strip mall when radio traffic suggests he got lost inside of the building. Sheltra’s fellow firefighters found him and pulled him from the building. He was raced to the hospital where he died from smoke inhalation.
The Fire Marshal says the fire appears to be accidental, caused by a lightning strike. However, a federal, state and county investigation is still open.
The Fire Marshal is looking for witnesses who may have seen the fire start. A fire department spokesperson says that is standard operating procedure whenever someone loses his or her life on the job.
Sheltra was named the 2015 Rookie of the Year and recorded more training hours than any other person that year. Sheltra did so on his own time, to show his commitment to the department. Friends say he was on the brink of possibly landing a job with the Charlotte Fire Department.
Sheltra attended South Mecklenburg High School, graduating in 2013.
“He always wanted to be a friend to someone who didn’t have one, who needed that extra little step along the way,” says his high school friend Michele Mitchell. “He just loved living life and he wanted everyone else to have as much fun as he did.”
Mitchell says Sheltra played football and lacrosse and was a member of many organizations, including the same faith-based student organization she joined freshman year.
Dr. Maureen Furr, principal of South Meck High School, says he will be missed.
“Those at South Meck who knew Richard remembered him fondly as a wonderful young man,” she said in a written statement.
“To me, he was Mr. South Meck,” Mitchell says.
She affectionately recalls Sheltra’s support for fellow students and willingness to lend a helping hand. His decision to become a firefighter was not surprising.
Sheltra was following in his father’s footstep. His dad was once a fire chief. His mother was active with the fire department as well.
“He lived and breathed being a firefighter,” says fire department spokesperson Bill Southard.
Fellow firefighters sat down for their first formal meal together since the deadly fire. They spent Tuesday sharing stories about Sheltra.
“A lot of smiles, a lot of laughing, very good fond memories of Richard,” Southard says. “A lot of crying, too, because we lost a really good one.”
Sheltra’s funeral will be held at Forest Hill Church on Park Road Saturday at noon. Sheltra grew up attending that church. Members say they remember him running in the halls when he was a young boy.
Mitchell says Sheltra’s faith was particularly important to him.
The fire department was working to finalize plans for a small procession.
“Richard died a hero,” Southard says. “We want to make sure that we absolutely get Richard’s last ride correct.”