Editor's note: The following was received by the Cedar County Sheriff's office.
On July 3 at approximately 3 p.m., the Cedar County Sheriff's Office, along with the Atalissa Fire Department and West Liberty Ambulance, were dispatched to 2309 Jefferson Ave. in Atalissa for a report of a man who had been struck in the head by a firework.
James Don McMichael, 53, was pronounced dead at the scene. The probable cause of death being injuries caused by the firework striking him in the head. The incident is being ruled an accident.
The Iowa State Fire Marshal Office, Iowa State Patrol and Cedar County Medical Examiner's Office also assisted in the investigation. McMichael's obit can be found on page 7.