Known affectionately as "Herbie," Chicago Fire Department Capt. Herbert Johnson died after saving several families--including many with small children--from a burning South Side home on Friday.
Saturday, the Cook County medical examiner said Johnson died of inhalation injuries and ruled the 54-year-old captain's death an accident, reports the Associated Press.
Family, friends and fellow firefighters of the more than 30-year CPD veteran were devastated by the news of Johnson's death. The Sun-Times reported the heartbreaking scene outside the medical examiner's office where Johnson’s "grief-stricken" wife, Sue, wept with their three children as Johnson's brother-in-law Dan McMahon spoke on the family's behalf.