San Luis Obispo Fire Chief John Callahan died of a massive heart attack, an autopsy performed today by the county Coroner’s Division has found.
Services for Callahan, who died on Wednesday, are still pending and should be finalized Monday, said San Luis Obispo police Capt. Ian Parkinson.
Callahan, 61, died after collapsing during a softball game with the city team at Santa Rosa Park in San Luis Obispo.
City Manager Katie Lichtig said Callahan was running from first to second base at 7:23 p.m. when he suddenly collapsed. City employees performed CPR until firefighters and paramedics arrived.
Callahan was taken to Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead a short time later.
Callahan was hired in 2005 to head up the Fire Department. He previously spent 32 years with the Los Angeles Fire Department, where he worked his way up through the organization, retiring as a deputy chief.
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