Lt. Eddie Hefner and his mother Pam McElhaney photographed together.Photo:Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office

Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office
The mother of a Tennessee Lieutenant has died after being trapped in a house fire at her son’s home.
In astatementshared on the Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook on Thursday morning, it was confirmed that Lt. Eddie Hefner’s mom Pam McElhaney had died following the incident on Sunday.
“We, his HCSO family, ask that you continue to pray for Lt. Hefner and his entire family during this most difficult time,’” the statement added.
PEOPLE reached out to the West Hamblen County Volunteer Fire Department, but they did not immediately respond for comment.
“We were at church on Sunday night, and after church let out one of the members came and got me and said the house behind the church was on fire,” Rutherford told the outlet.
The firefighter said soon after he walked around the house to try and find a way in, the West Hamblen County Volunteer Fire Department arrived.
Lt. Eddie Hefner and his mother Pam McElhaney photographed together.Hamblen County Sheriff’s Office

“You could see flames coming out of the bedroom where they believed that she was whenever the fire started,” continued Rutherford, who suited up and ran into the home to find McElhaney.
“I saw her on the floor,” he told the outlet. “So at that point, I hollered out that I had her and pulled her into the hallway. Once I pulled her into the hallway, I was able to get her and drag her to the front door where EMS was able to get her.”
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According to herobituary, McElhaney, who was from Morristown, was 70 years old and was both a grandmother and great-grandmother. Her funeral is due to take place on Sunday at Westside Chapel Funeral Home.
Per WATE 6, Hefner has been with the sheriff’s office for over 25 years.
source: people.com