Princeton man dies in crash – shawlocal.com
Kurt Garvin
DIXON — A Princeton man died Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed on Palmyra and Sauk roads, according to a news release from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene at 2:16 p.m. to find Kurt Garvin, 28, dead at the scene. According to the release, it appeared he went off a curve and lost control of the motorcycle, striking a guardrail. He was not wearing a helmet, the release said, adding it does not appear speed was a factor in the crash.
An autopsy is scheduled.
Garvin was a firefighter and EMT with the Princeton Fire Department.
On Monday, Princeton Fire Chief Chuck Woolley said Garvin was a very dedicated person, very likable, a person who had found his place in life with the fire department.
“That’s one of the things that was in his heart, being a firefighter. He was meant to help people,” Woolley said.
Garvin had worked part-time for the Princeton Fire Department for the last eight years. He was a firefighter/EMT and was currently taking his paramedic class, which is the highest level of EMT, Woolley said.
Firefighting is a profession that a person just doesn’t go to school for and then go out and do it, Woolley said. It takes a person of courage and dedication to be a firefighter, and that would describe Garvin. He was willing to be that person, the fire chief said.
“Kurt was an excellent employee, a good friend and will be sorely missed,” Woolley said.
In honor of Garvin, the Princeton Fire Department has draped a memorial bunting across the department monument in the front of the fire station, as is tradition for fallen fire service people, Woolley said. Also, a remembrance flag will be flown at the fire station through the time of the funeral services for Garvin.
Garvin was also a volunteer assistant soccer coach at Princeton High School.
BCR reporter Donna Barker assisted with this article.
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