FRANKLIN — A fixture of local politics and journalism died of a heart attack Wednesday, shortly after leaving the scene of a fire he helped to extinguish.

Known for his mountain-man appearance, outgoing personality and community involvement, 45-year-old Shawn O’Brien also had been a photojournalist and newspaper editor for several years.

“When a fire call came in, O’Brien was always the first one there,” said Franklin Fire Chief Greg Bunker, who was shocked and dismayed at the unexpected death of his dedicated colleague and friend.

Bunker said that O’Brien served as pump operator at a local fire for about two hours Wednesday morning, returning to his Donnell Pond Road home just long enough to pick up his wife, Marilyn, before proceeding to the Franklin Trading Post for gasoline.

He collapsed on the store premises around 8 a.m., about a half-hour after leaving the fire scene. Attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. He was pronounced dead at Maine Coast Memorial Hospital.

Manning the pump at Wednesday’s fire did not seem particularly strenuous for O’Brien, noted Bunker, who said his friend had not looked or behaved any differently than usual.

“I think the whole community is in shock,” said selectman Bruce Carter, who described the death as tragic. He said O’Brien would be missed by the many people with whom he worked in a myriad of activities.

A firefighter for the past five years, O’Brien recently was voted captain of the department, Bunker said.

He also was chairman of the Franklin Budget Committee, and was involved with community recycling.

O’Brien met people throughout Hancock County in his role as a journalist.