Fire within led firefighter to take his own life

Fire within led firefighter to take his own life
KSDK News
Jacob Long
February 22, 2017

On Saturday, September 24, 2016, McMullin was on duty for West County EMS and Fire’s station house #2 in Ballwin when he took his own life.

The family of Sean McMullin mourning his death. On Saturday, September 24, 2016, McMullin was on duty for West County EMS and Fire’s station house no. 2 in Ballwin when he took his own life. He was 46.
(Photo: KSDK, KSDK)

ST. LOUIS - Beth McMullin never imagined that someday, she would be married to a firefighter.

“No, I never pictured it. I always pictured a suit and a briefcase. The typical 9 to 5 job,” she said.

Even when she met her husband on a blind date more than 15 years ago, the reality of becoming a first responder’s wife never really dawned on her.

“I was 20 years old when I met him. I married him when I was 21. I guess I didn’t really know what I was getting into,” she said.

But love clearly had other plans.

“It felt comfortable. It felt right. It was just great,” she McMullin said.

And now, the St. Charles County woman is learning all about the unexpected heartbreak that can come with that role.

“We keep going because we have to. I just try to be there for my boys and get them through the day,” she said, wiping tears away from her eyes.

McMullin is a mother of four and the widow of Sean McMullin, 46, a veteran firefighter and paramedic.

He spent more than 20 years protecting local communities like Webster Groves, Berkeley and West County.
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