SCOTTSBLUFF, NE — A fire department in western Nebraska is grieving after one of its captains passed away Saturday. 

According to the Nebraska Serious Injury and Line of Duty Death Response Team, Scottsbluff Fire Department Captain Ryan Lohr passed away after a battle with occupational cancer. His death is considered a Line of Duty death. 

Lohr served with the Scottsbluff Fire Department for 20 years and had been a captain since 2011. 

"Captain Lohr was a dutiful public servant, working hard to serve the City of Scottsbluff and surrounding area," the response team said in a statement. "Captain Lohr was an excellent firefighter that was admired by all those that knew him and worked alongside him. 

Funeral services are set for Saturday, Aug. 20 at 1 p.m. at Western Nebraska Community College. More details are expected to be released in the coming days. 

Lohr is survived by his wife, Andrea and their four children. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has been working since 2020 to create the National Firefighter Registry (NFR). 

According to the CDC, "The NFR will be used to track and analyze cancer trends and risk factors among the U.S. fire service to help the public safety community, researchers, scientists and medical professionals find better ways to protect those who protect our communities and environment."

The CDC is currently in the data collection phase of the project. They hope to release their findings in 2024.