SIDS suspected in infant son's death
Brentwood Home Page news reports
The Brentwood Fire & Rescue Department is mourning along with one of its own.  Firefighter Katie Williams, who has been with the department for just over seven years, and her husband Chris lost their 5-month-old son Perry Sunday morning in what appears may be a case of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

Katie Williams, who has responded to hundreds of medical calls herself as an EMT in Brentwood, arrived home to find paramedics in her driveway early Sunday morning.  She had just been relieved after a 24-hour shift at Brentwood Fire & Rescue’s Station 2 on Wilson Pike.

Katie Williams is known and loved by many as she has touched countless lives through her work in educating school children both in Williamson County and her home Cheatham County.  She and her rescue dog Sally, who appeared most recently at the Public Safety Day event in Brentwood on Oct. 15, have brought the fire safety message to hundreds if not thousands of school children through the years. 

Katie was selected as the 2008 Tennessee Public Fire Educator of the Year by the Tennessee State Fire Marshal’s Office and received the 2009 Civic Award from the Fire & Rescue Department for her work in spreading the fire safety and prevention message.  In addition to her work in schools, Williams has also conducted presentations at nursing homes, Cool Springs Galleria, and the Williamson County Fair.

Those wishing to donate to assist the Williams family with expenses may do so by contributing to the Bentwood Public Safety Trust Fund.  Donations are tax deductable as the fund is designated as a 501c3 non-profit.  This fund was established several years ago to assist Brentwood Police and Fire personnel facing financial hardship due to a significant physical or emotional event and is funded purely by donations.  Contributions to the trust fund may be made at any Brentwood fire station or at the Brentwood Municipal Center at 5211 Maryland Way.  Funds earmarked for the Williams family will go directly to assist them.

True to form, Katie did not want this information made public without including SIDS prevention tips for parents, said Brentwood Fire Chief Brian Goss. Information can be found at the CJ Foundation for SIDS at http://www.cjsids.org.