Dan Forestal Found Dead – Killed: According to authorities, former Indiana firefighter and east-side state lawmaker Dan Forestal has died at the age of 38, on Wednesday, July 14.
No cause of death confirmed yet, as no health issues or other causes of death have been learned to be associated with the passing. According to a report from the Marion County Coroner’s Office “Forestal’s manner of death wasn’t clear pending the return of toxicology results.”
This death has caused a lot of friends and family of Wertz so much hurt. It is in that mourning spirit that the concerned persons have taken to social media to share tributes to the deceased and condolences to the affected family.
Tributes To Ricki Wertz
Across social media users’ timelines are statements that show respect, admiration, and gratitude towards Wertz as people mourn the passing.
Dan Forestal was a friend and a passionate advocate for his constituents. On the night this photograph was taken, the crowd came to see Mayor Pete, but it was Dan who made them laugh and cry and believe life could be better for every single one of us. Peace be with you my friend.
My friend and former colleague, Dan Forestal, passed away on Wednesday, July 14. He was 38.
Dan and I became quick friends when he arrived at the statehouse and I had the honor of working with him on several issues over our 8 years together in the Legislature.
We had the opportunity to not only serve together as State Representatives, but we also bonded outside of the Statehouse. And I came to know Dan and who he truly was as a man.
The last few years should not define him. Dan was a good soul and became lost and could not find his way back. As we all do, I second guess myself and what I could have done as his friend. I hope he has finally found peace.
In 2012, when Ed Treacy hired me to run Dan Forestal’s Primary campaign, he told us that we were going to be friends for the rest of our lives. Dan and I both took that as an order. We were a month apart in age and had lived in the same dorm at Ball State. It felt like we’d known each other forever. I was going through a lot of hard stuff at that time, and his friends, that campaign, helped lift me back up.
My favorite version of Dan, hands down, will always be Dan as a candidate. We laughed a lot about the ways I would trick him into knocking on doors for an extra hour, but in reality, there are few people I learned more from in this field. He was hard-working, and he cared tremendously about the people he was talking to. There are alleys I drive past today that I nicknamed “Dan Forestal Alley” because he helped to get them repaved before ever getting into office. And no one could walk away from a canvassing list with more yard sign requests than him.
Much of his wisdom came from his Grandpa Jerry, and one very specific lesson he taught me was to not pile on when someone was down. Dan made friends in the most unlikely of political places because of this personal policy.
Dan cared for me when I was down, and though I’ve always been kept fairly far away from his struggles, there’s never been a minute I haven’t cared deeply about him.
I’m choosing to remember most his excitement when alarms would go off in the firehouse, his loud singing in the car, his very skillful door knocking, and the wisdom beyond his years that he brought to the campaign trail. He cared passionately and burned brightly. He loved his family and friends so, so, so much. My heart is with them in this very difficult time, but I promise that he has seen some very significant seeds in politics and public service, and those seeds will be nourished and cherished for decades.
You may use the comment section below to leave a statement on the death of Wertz. To inform other online friends and relatives about this passing, you may use any of the social media share buttons below to do that.
More information on the death of Wertz will be updated as we receive it. Official obituary publication will be made by the family of the deceased.
This publication does not contain information on Ricki Wertz’s funeral plans and visitations. You may wait for the family to release a statement on that or reach out to them when it is convenient for them to speak.
Family privacy should be respected at this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by the passing of Wertz.