GREELEY, Colo. — Greeley firefighters are mourning the loss of a 21-year veteran of the department.
Steven Kuzik was the victim of a hit-and-run crash Thursday. Police said the other suspect driver was going the wrong way.
Kuzik's fellow firefighters describe him as tough as a fire hydrant and a family man.
"He was taken from us,” said Chief Kevin Maloney. “That morning, he left his house that he loved; he jumped on his motorcycle that he loved; he left his wife and family he loved, and that morning he was coming down to do a job that he loved."
Kuzik’s colleagues said they heard the call when the crash happened and many went to the scene to try to help.
“We knew fairly early on it was him because he was never late," said Firefighter Doug Gilliland. "It got real emotional from there.”
Kuzik was awarded the firefighter of the year award two years ago. He also mentored and trained firefighters, not just in Greeley, but across the state.
“He could cut people out of wrecked cars; he could remove people trapped in equipment; he could figure things out because of his mechanical aptitude," Maloney said.
Kuzik is survived by his wife, son and two grandchildren.
Funeral services are Friday at Union Colony Civic Center in Greeley at 10:30 a.m. Donations can be given to Greeley firefighter Local 888, Greeley, Colorado, 80631.