Johnson County Fire Protection District lieutenant died while battling brain cancer

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Johnson County Fire Protection District Lt. Ben Burd died Saturday morning after a four-year-long battle against brain cancer, according to a JCFPD press release.

The 32-year-old started at JCFPD in 2014 as a firefighter in Knob Noster, according to the release. Burd was promoted to lieutenant in 2022 before serving in the training and safety division in 2025.

"He grew with this organization, from a firefighter to a lieutenant helping prepare the next generation of firefighters. Our hearts are with his wife and children. We are proud of Lt. Burd’s service
and deeply saddened that his life ended far too soon," JCFPD Chief Larry Jennings is quoted in the release.

Burd has a wife and two young children, according to the release. He also served in the United States Air Force at Whiteman Air Force Base.