Iowa volunteer firefighter dies responding to field fire

An Iowa firefighter was killed in the line of duty while responding to a field fire.

Anthony Hoffman, 43, a 17-year veteran of the Ionia Volunteer Fire Department, was driving a converted UTV in response to the call Sunday when he attempted to pass a slow-moving tractor, according to an Iowa State Patrol report. A firetruck following behind Hoffman also attempted to pass and side-swiped the UTV, the report said.

Hoffman's UTV rolled and he was ejected.

The report did not name the driver of the firetruck.

"Tony was very dedicated to the (department) and the community and this huge loss is and will be felt by many," the volunteer fire department wrote in a Facebook post. Ionia is a town of about 230 people in northeast Iowa.

Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered flags to be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on Friday in honor of Hoffman.

“Anthony Hoffman’s service and dedication to the Ionia community will never be forgotten,” Reynolds said in a news release. “Iowa is stronger because of Anthony Hoffman who volunteered to put his life on the line to protect his community. As we lower flags, lets honor his legacy and service.”

She also ordered flags at half-staff for the victims of the mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, on Wednesday night. The order remains in effect until Monday.

Flags will be flown at half-staff at the Capitol and on all public buildings, grounds and facilities throughout the state.

Kyle Werner is an intern at the Register. Reach him at kwerner@dmreg.com.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ionia, Iowa volunteer firefighter dies when UTV hit by firetruck