By Associated Press - Tuesday, July 21, 2020

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - A former high school star athlete suffered an apparent medical emergency and died while on duty with the Charleston fire department, the department said.

The fire department said in a news release that firefighter and medic Jason Cuffee died Monday. Cuffee was on duty when he did not answer a call to service. He was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. He was 27.

Cuffee was a five-year member of the fire department. It was the department’s first on-duty death since 1980.



Cuffee was an all-state football and basketball player at Poca High School.

Copyright © 2026 The Washington Times, LLC.

Please read our comment policy before commenting.