... Cox, 44, was a 21 year veteran of the Topeka Fire Department. He collapsed while fighting a fire "He was doing what he loved to do, fighting fires, serving his community," said Capt. Kent Dederick. "That's what he dedicated his life to." Two batches of flowers were placed in the entryway to his firehouse Tuesday morning and flags were being flown at half-staff across the city. We're ...