Fairmont City Village Trustee Rodolfo “Rudy” Romo was one of two employees of Totall Metal Recycling who died when a mortar shell exploded Monday, Mayor Alex Bregan announced.

The explosion occurred Monday morning at the recycling plant at 2700 Missouri Avenue in Granite City. Police are still investigating the accident.

Romo had been a trustee since 2002, Bregan said.

“Trustee Romo was a hard-working member of the Village Board,” Bregen said. “He was thoughtful, well-spoken and was very popular with the residents.”