It is with great sadness to inform you that on Sunday, December 8, 2024, active-duty Los Ageles County Fire Captain Michael H. Mercado, Fire Station 90-C, Battalion 10 passed away.
Fire Captain Mercado was 51 years of age and faithfully served our Department, residents, and communities for over 25 years.
We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to Captain Mercado’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of Firefighter James O. Taylor who tragically lost his life while on active duty on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Firefighter Taylor was assigned to Fire Station 38 in Los Angeles. He faithfully served our Department, residents, and communities for 36 years.
We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Firefighter Taylor.
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Fire Fighter Paramedic (FFPM) Dustin Roberto, who tragically lost his life while on active duty on Saturday, August 10, 2024. FFPM Roberto, who was just 34 years old, served our Department, the residents, and the communities with unwavering dedication for nearly five years.
Assigned to Fire Station 93 in Palmdale, FFPM Roberto was a vital member of Battalion 17. His commitment to service and his impact on those around him will never be forgotten.
We offer our heartfelt condolences and prayers to FFPM Roberto’s family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.
It is with a heavy heart the LACoFD shares the Line of Duty Death of Fire Fighter Andrew Pontious on Friday, June 14, 2024. Fire Fighter Pontious sustained fatal injuries while engaged in firefighting operations at a large vehicle fire in Palmdale.
Fire Fighter Pontious was assigned to Fire Station 93 in the City of Palmdale. He faithfully served the Department and Los Angeles County residents and communities for over 19 years.
We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Fire Fighter Pontious.
It is with great sadness to inform you that on Monday, April 8, 2024, active-duty Los Angeles County Fire Captain Henry H. Flores of Engine 169-A, Battalion 10 passed away.
Fire Captain Flores was 55 years old and had served our department, residents, and communities for 23 years with dedication and commitment.
Our thoughts and prayers are with those who have been affected by this loss. We offer our deepest condolences to Fire Captain Flores’ family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time. The Department has activated its Chaplains, Peer Support team, behavioral health clinicians, and Memorial Management team to assist Fire Captain Flores’ family, colleagues, and friends.
On Sunday, March 24, 2024, County of Los Angeles Fire Fighter Jonathan Van Oeffelen passed away unexpectedly.
Fire Fighter Van Oeffelen faithfully served as a firefighter for nearly 20 years and was assigned to Fire Station 52 in the City of Vernon.
Today is a difficult day for our Fire Department family. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by this unexpected loss. We extend our deepest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Fire Fighter Van Oeffelen.
The Department’s Chaplains, Peer Support team, behavioral health clinicians, and Memorial Management team to assist the Van Oeffelen family and our personnel during this extraordinarily difficult time.
It is with great sadness we announce the active-duty death of Jeffrey Windle, on Sunday, March 26, 2023.
Specialist Windle faithfully served the Fire Department for 22 years and was last assigned to Fire Station 56 in the City of Rolling Hills.
We extend our deepest condolences and prayers to the family, friends, and colleagues of Fire Fighter Specialist Windle.
It is with great sadness that the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has announced the sudden passing of Captain Arn Tretsven on November 15, 2022.
For 15 years, Captain Tretsven served in the Los Angeles County Fire Department, with his last assignment being at Fire Station 152 in Covina. Before becoming a county firefighter, he spent 18 years with the U.S. Forest Service and as a lifeguard.
In this time of mourning, we offer our heartfelt condolences to his wife, sons, and all those who held him dear.
It is with great sadness that the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has announced the unexpected passing of Captain Steven McCann, Fire Station 166, Battalion 10. Captain McCann passed away, while on duty, on February 9, 2022. Captain McCann was 48 years old and dedicated more than 16 years of faithful service to the community. He is survived by his mother, three daughters, grandchild, and siblings.
Captain McCann was a highly respected and esteemed firefighter who truly embodied our core values of courage, caring, commitment, community, integrity, and teamwork while on and off the job.
Captain McCann will be tremendously missed by all of us – and we will never forget him.
It is with great sadness that the County of Los Angeles Fire Department has announced the unexpected passing of Firefighter Jonathan Flagler, Fire Station 83, Battalion 14, Central Regional Operations Bureau.
At approximately 02:49 a.m., the morning of January 6, 2022, Firefighter Flagler sustained fatal injuries while engaged in firefighting operations at a single-family residence in Rancho Palos Verdes.
Firefighter Flagler was a 21-year veteran of the fire service having served 19 years with the Vernon Fire Department before transitioning into our Department in October 2020. He is survived by his wife and two sons.