Legionnaires' Bacteria Found At Michigan Station

[hilly7]

MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. --

Water was shut off Monday at the Madison Heights Police Department, after tests found bacteria that causes Legionnaires' disease in the building's water supply.

The tests were ordered after more than 20 officers started getting sick in late May. One officer, Ryan Settlemoir, 28, later died in the hospital.

At first doctors suspected Settlemoir died of Legionnaires' disease, but now they believe the H1N1 virus is to blame for the officer's death.

Video: Legionnaires Bacteria Found At Police Department

Some of Settlemoir's fellow officers now wonder if Legionnaires' played a role in the officers death.

"The bacteria that causes Legionnaires' is spread by small droplets that can be spread through an air conditioning system," said Local 4 Dr. Frank McGeorge.

"If somebody with influenza caught it, they would get two infections, the influenza and the bacterial Legionnaire's disease," McGeorge said. "That would make it much worse on both counts, which could cause a deadly combination."

Madison Heights Police Chief Kevin Sagan said crews will come in Tuesday to start the process of chlorinating and flushing the water system.

A fundraiser for Settlemoir's family will be held on June 27 at The Quick and Easy Car Wash on John R Road.

All the proceeds from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. will be donated the officer's memorial fund.

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