Matt Runte

On Dec. 8, Seattle firefighter Matt Runte died suddenly just before starting his shift while on a jog in the neighborhood served by his fire station. Matt was only 44 years old, and we are all heartbroken by this tragic loss of our friend and colleague, says the Seattle Fire Department’s official statement on their Social Media.

Firefighter Matt Runte worked at SFD Station 25 (B-shift), which is located on Capitol Hill for most of his career. He served the citizens of Seattle for 19 years. He was a member and leader of the Seattle Fire Department’s Walter Kilgore Memorial Honor Guard and was actively involved on several committees. He was known and loved by many.