Dallas firefighter Vincent Davis, a 1980 Track and Field All-American at Illinois State in the high jump, died Monday evening from injuries he received while fighting a massive fire at the Creekside Hills apartment complex in Dallas, Texas.
Davis, along with fellow firefighter Charles Womble, became trapped when a two-story, brick wall collapsed on top of them. The two men were pulled free of the debris and sent to Methodist Medical Center. Davis arrived at the hospital in critical condition and was pronounced dead at approximately 6:55 p.m., about 90 minutes after the fire erupted.
The 42-year old Davis was the first Dallas firefighter killed in the line of duty since 1986. He leaves behind a wife and five children.
Davis was a student-athlete at Illinois State from 1977 until 1981, when he competed on teams coached by John Coughlan. He was named an All-American during the 1980 season when he jumped 7-0 3/4 feet at the NCAA Outdoor Championships. His career best in the high jump was 7-1.
While Davis was a student-athlete at Illinois State, the Redbirds assistant track coach was his brother, Wilbert Davis, a long-time Illinois State University staffer now part of the admissions staff.
