Salem firefighter/paramedic who died in car crash this morning honored at fair

Eric Norden

Eric Norden, a firefighter/paramedic with Salem Fire/Rescue and member of other area departments died in a car crash early Friday morning.

Just hours later, friends, colleagues and family members were remembering Norden in two ceremonies at the Kenosha County Fair.

Here is some video of the moment of silence in Norden’s honor at the pie auction:

Norden was also remembered in an emotional tribute at the beginning of the fair’s racing program at Wilmot Speedway on the fairgrounds that included colleagues from the department.

Salem Fire Chief Mike Slover said Salem units responded to the scene on Highway B south of Highway C. Units found the vehicle south of the state line. They requested the Lake County Sheriff, Antioch Fire and Antioch Rescue Squad. The vehicle involved was driven by Norden.

Norden was about a third of a mile from home when he ran off the road and hit a utility pole, Slover said. Norden was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash is under investigation by the Lake County Sheriff’s Department.

Norden also was a member of the Antioch Fire Department and Silver Lake Rescue Squad. He worked for the Paris Fire Department and volunteered at the Wilmot Station of Salem Fire/Rescue prior to being employed full time at the department, Slover said.