Names of 35 fallen firefighters added to California Firefighters Memorial Wall at State Capitol; including 3 first responders from neighboring departments
The names of 35 fallen firefighters throughout the state of California were added to the 'California Firefighters Memorial Wall' at the State Capitol Saturday.
Three of those first responders served in neighboring fire departments before passing away in the line of duty.
Brian Rice, President of the California Professional Firefighters organization dedicated these lines to the first responders who made the ultimate sacrifice, "Time to come home to your brother, your tour of duty is through. You've given as much as anyone could be expected to do."
The 35 names that were added to the California Firefighters Memorial wall included those of first responders that served within our region.
Including, Karl Hegle and Michael Horton with San Bernardino County Fire, along with Timothy Strack who served on the City of Riverside's Fire Department.
Governor Gavin Newsom offered the following words to pay his respects, "The one thing all of those 35 have in common is they were 'other people oriented' every single day without fail. They were considering not just themselves, but others. Ultimately, they sacrificed themselves in that cause."
President Brian Rice says being a firefighter is a calling, one that can be dangerous.
"More and more we're losing our brothers and sisters to devastating job related illnesses and diseases...More than half of the members today that we honor going on this wall died of cancer," said Rice.
Loved ones of those who made the ultimate sacrifice and fellow first responders — all connected by the names memorialized on the capitol grounds.
"For their community, their profession, their brothers and sisters, their state. This ceremony is a tribute to that selfless dedication. But more than that, it's certainly a tribute to the families that stand behind each of these men," said Rice.
The California Fire Foundation says they’ll be adding the names of Cal Fire First Responders, Chief Josh Bischof, Captain Tim Rodriguez along with Cal Fire contracted pilot, Tony Sousa, who passed away in Cabazon back in August, in the near feature.
