In Loving Memory of Lieutenant Paul Charles Mickolick
West Salem, Ohio | April 17, 2025
West Salem, OH — The tight-knit community of West Salem and the greater Town and Country Fire District family are mourning the tragic loss of Lieutenant Paul Charles Mickolick, a 43-year-old firefighter paramedic whose life was taken far too soon in the line of duty. On the night of Thursday, April 17, 2025, while selflessly responding to aid a stranded motorist on Stratton Road in Congress Township, Paul was fatally struck in a late-night crash that has sent shockwaves through the hearts of his loved ones, colleagues, and community.
The incident occurred around 10:39 p.m., according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and is currently under active investigation. Paul had been responding in his personal vehicle—off-duty but never off-call—to assist Tylor James Green, 33, of West Salem, whose Ford F-150 had become stuck in a ditch while exiting a private field on the west side of Stratton Road. True to his character, Paul didn’t hesitate to help. That was who he was—a man of action, compassion, and incredible courage.
Tragically, while rendering aid, Lieutenant Mickolick was struck and fatally injured by a passing vehicle, silencing a life that had long been a beacon of service, heart, and dedication. The news has cast a long shadow over the Town and Country Fire District, where Paul served with honor, humility, and distinction.
Lieutenant Paul Mickolick was more than a first responder. He was a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, and a mentor. He embodied the very best of what it means to serve others—always putting the safety and well-being of his community first, even at the greatest personal risk. His colleagues speak of a man who led by example, inspired with kindness, and brought calm in the midst of chaos. His unwavering sense of duty and selflessness earned him not only the respect but the love of those he served beside.
To his family, Paul was a rock—devoted, dependable, and deeply loving. To his friends, he was a constant presence, someone who would drop everything to help without being asked. To the citizens of West Salem and beyond, he was a protector and a hero in the truest sense of the word.
As the investigation continues, the focus now turns to honoring Paul’s legacy and supporting those left behind. His passing serves as a painful reminder of the daily sacrifices made by first responders—those who run toward danger when others run away, those who serve without fanfare, and those who, like Paul, continue to give even when off the clock.
A public memorial service is being planned to allow the community to pay their respects and celebrate the life of a man who gave everything for others. Tributes have already begun to pour in, with firehouses across the state lowering their flags and lighting up their stations in red in his honor. The Town and Country Fire District has asked for continued prayers for Paul’s family and for Tylor James Green, who survived the incident but carries the heavy weight of this tragedy.
Rest in peace, Lieutenant Paul Charles Mickolick.
You lived your life as a guardian of others, and though your watch has ended, your courage, your compassion, and your sacrifice will live on in the hearts of everyone you touched.
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13 🕊️🚒💔