Flags ordered at half-staff for Minnesota firefighter who died in the line of duty
Flags ordered at half-staff for Minnesota firefighter who died in the line of duty originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
Flags are at half-staff this weekend in honor of a firefighter from southern Minnesota who died in the line of duty.
Andrew Karels, 35, died Monday. He served as a medical officer with the Amboy Fire Department.
To honor Karels, Gov. Tim Walz ordered flags at state buildings to be flown at half-staff from sunrise on Saturday to sunset on Monday, June 9.
'Firefighter Andrew Karels was a steadfast leader for the Amboy Fire Department,' Walz said in a statement. 'His commitment to delivering exceptional care in emergency situations – always with compassion and professionalism – touched countless peoples' lives during their most challenging moments. We mourn this sudden and tragic loss, and I extend my deepest condolences to Firefighter Karels' family, colleagues, and all who knew and loved him."
According to his obituary, Karels also served in the Army National Guard from 2007 to 2014, where he earned the rank of Sergeant.
At the Amboy Fire Department, he received the the lifesaver award for hosting training events for South Central Minnesota EMS. He was a member of the fire department for 10 years.
Karels and his wife Morgan have three children.
'Andrew's steady pride was unwavering during coaching wrestling tournaments, swimming lessons, baseball and softball, and our everyday life as he came home each day declaring in song as he walked in the door, 'I Love YOU!' the obituary says.
Karels' cause of death hasn't been disclosed.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
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