Wheat Ridge Fire Chief Jim Payne died this afternoon from injuries he received in an April 4 fall, the fire department said today in a new release.
Payne, 53, fell from a ladder while trimming a tree at his home, and after the accident was in critical condition in a medically induced coma.
Payne headed the Wheat Ridge Fire Protection District for the past five years and was a member of the fire district for more than 14 years.
He is survived by his wife, three adult children, five grandchildren, his parents and two brothers.
A viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Olinger Chapel, 2900 Wadsworth Blvd., in Wheat Ridge. Services are at 9 a.m Saturday at Faith Bible Chapel, 6210 Ward Road, in Arvada. There will be a procession to Crown Hill Cemetery afterward.
The public is then invited to a reception at Wheat Ridge Fire Station No. 1, 3880 Upham St.
