(LAUREL, Del.) - Today, people on Delmarva are still dealing with the shock of the tragic death of firefighter and politician, Alan Schweitzer.
"To receive a call yesterday, when this tragedy happened, it's just unbelievable, just awful," said Laurel mayor, John Shwed.
Schweitzer died in a motorcycle accident on East Trap Pond Road in Georgetown, yesterday.
His death comes less than a week after he was sworn in as a Laurel councilman.
The mayor said, "Just so shocking because we just had a good time in this very chamber Monday, as I swore him in as the new councilman for ward 3 at large."
Not only was Schweitzer a man of the Laurel community, he was a firefighter and paramedic in Ocean City. He was previously the assistant fire chief in Laurel.
Mayor Shwed had known Schweitzer for 40 years before his untimely death and says his friend always be known for community sacrifice.
"They will remember this was a person here to help people in whatever fashion he did that. That will be his key legacy," said the mayor.
Even though Schweitzer was a civil servant and politician, his legacy was built on his work as a firefighter.
"We'll remember Alan as one of the nicest people and well thought of people we've ever had in the fire department. He's a good training officer, great training person. I think we'll remember that about Alan of all the things we remember about Alan," said one Laurel firefighter.
The mayor said, "The work in the fire company was just the epitome for him. He just like being out there helping people, whatever it was, whether it was a fire call or medical service call, he just enjoyed working with the fire service and was an asset to the community."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
