Boston Line of Duty Death

Boston Firefighter David A. Middleton died of an apparent heart
attack at his home May 28 after returning from a shift, according to
Chief William Meyer.

The 38-year-old member of Engine 51 in the Brighton section of the
city went on back to back calls spanning from the night of May 27
into the morning of May 28.

Meyer said Middleton reportedly told other firefighter he wasn't
feeling well during the second fire, but completed on the job.

Middleton returned home a approximately 8 a.m. and was found dead by
fellow firefighters hours later.

"He was a good guy, he was a well liked by everyone," Meyer said. "He
was in good shape and was great at his job. He will be missed."

Middleton was a 10-year veteran and the father of two children.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

from the Wednesday May 30, 2007 Boston Globe

Boston firefighters mourn fallen colleague

(George Rizer/Globe Staff)

Fire Lieutenant Dwaine Daye held up a denim jacket today in front of the locker of firefighter David A. Middleton, who died of an apparent heart attack Tuesday after a shift. Middleton, who was an expert with an air brush, designed the jacket and several others for his colleagues in the firehouse.

By John R. Ellement, Globe Staff

At the castle-like firehouse in Brighton's Oak Square today, Boston firefighters mourned their colleague, firefighter David A. Middleton, who died Tuesday of an apparent heart attack after finishing his shift.

Boston fire officials consider the death of the 38-year-old father of two a line-of-duty death because he worked several incidents Sunday night. Middleton complained of "not feeling myself today" but stayed at Engine 51 until his shift ended Monday at 8 a.m., according to Lieutenant Dwaine Daye.

Daye, who knew Middleton growing up and attended Melrose schools with him as a fellow Metco student, said he remembered the comment because it was out of character.

"He wasn't the type to complain," Daye said today in an interview. "He stayed on duty."

Colleagues recalled Middleton's big smile, shaved head, and his muscular, six-pack stomach that the fitness buff kept with a daily diet that didn't include sugar and other potentially unhealthy foods.

His good health made it that much more of a shock when fellow firefighters were called to Middleton's Dorchester home when he suffered an apparent heart attack. The cause of death is pending an autopsy by the medical examiner, fire officials said.