Sadly, on March 25, 2001 Firefighter Heenan died from injuries sustained in the line of duty while fighting a house fire on January 1st of the same year. Dispatched information originally stated there were people trapped inside the West Deptford residence, however it  was later discovered that the two-story structure was empty. While searching for the victims inside the house the floor  collapsed beneath Jim and trapped him in the basement under  burning debris for approximately twenty minutes.
              He was rescued by fellow firefighters but not before sustained third- degree burns to 75% of his body. Jimmy remained in the Chester-Crozer Burn Center for eighty four days and underwent several surgeries  before he past away. Jim, an eighteen year veteran firefighter  of the Verga Fire Company # 1, was 37 years old and survived by his wife, Patti and two teenage sons, Jimmy and Michael. His  Heroism and sacrifice will never be forgotten. He will be greatly missed and his memory will live forever in our hearts.