October 7, 2011

Andrew K. Boyt - Firefighter - New Jersey

Lieutenant Andrew K. Boyt, age 45, died on October 3, 2011, in Cape May, New Jersey.

Andrew was a member of the Cape May New Jersey Fire Department.

A few hours after working a twenty-four hour shift, Lieutenant Boyt's personal vehicle was observed parked on the side of a local road. Lieutenant Boyt was inside of the vehicle, slumped over the steering wheel. Police, EMS and medics responded, found Boyt unresponsive and started CPR. He was pronounced deceased at a local hospital. 

The cause of death is unknown at this time, but his passing is considered a line of duty death, as he had responded to fire calls within 24 hours prior to his passing. 

Saint Florian, Patron Saint
of Firefighters, pray for Andy
Andy began as a volunteer firefighter in 1991 and became a full-time paid firefighter and EMT in 1999. Promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 2006, Andy Boyt served as the department’s health and safety officer and as a rescue specialist with New Jersey Task Force I. He was a founding member of Cape May County Urban Search and Rescue and was Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator in Cape May, serving in hurricanes, blizzards and coastal storms. He had received numerous lifesaving awards. He recently got an award for rescuing people during the Dec. 23, 2010 fire at the Merion Inn. He once rescued a dog that had fallen through the ice at Lake Lily in Cape May Point.

Fire Department officials stated that Andy was highly regarded by his colleagues and will be sadly missed. They also stated that he was well-trained, experienced and creative.

Andy is survived by numerous loving friends and relatives, including his wife Michelle; father, Donald Boyt; three sisters, Cindy Lawler, Sandy Cluff and Tonya Miller.

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Andy Boyt is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.

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