Gavin Newsom honors fallen California firefighters who ‘gave the ultimate sacrifice’

The California Fire Foundation this weekend came together to honor nearly three dozen firefighters who fell in the line of duty.

The ceremony was held Saturday afternoon at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. Among those speaking at the memorial was California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

“I want to thank you for the devotion and cause that unites all of us here today, and that’s each other. And I want to thank all of those remarkable heroes who gave the ultimate sacrifice and now are honored on the heroes’ wall,” Newsom said.

The names of all 35 fallen firefighters will be added to the memorial wall in Capitol Park.

The following firefighters were honored Saturday:

Matthew Brabo – Cal Fire

Anthony Cano – Lakeside

Miguel Cervantes – Rancho Cucamonga

Matthew Clapsaddle – Ventura City

Paul Crimmins – City of San Rafael

Henry Doody – Oakland

Brian Falk – Kern County

Daniel Geary – Cal Fire

Scott Gomes – Cal Fire

Karl Hegle – San Bernardino County

Michael Horton – San Bernardino County

Earl Jones – Oakland

Heath Kelly – South San Francisco

Stephen Leong – Fresno city

Steven McCann – Los Angeles County

Peder McElroy – Branciforte

John McNelis – Barstow

Roberto Medina – National City

Timothy James Mrozinski – Rocklin

Russell N. Nakamura – Los Angeles

Marcus Pacheco – USFS

Steven Padgett – Oakland

Howard Pheatte – Oakland

Nickolas Ramirez III – San Diego

Matthew Rominger – USMC

Kyle Rutherford – Sacramento Metropolitan

Mark Schmidt – Kern County

Jack Sheppard – San Ramon Valley

Timothy Strack – Riverside

Michael Tooley – Orange County

Victor Vega – Richmond

Jeffrey Vitti – Sacramento Metropolitan

Stephen Wakefield – Crescent City

James Waldmeier – San Luis Obispo

Jerry G. Welton – Monrovia

Applications for names to be added to the wall next year will be taken beginning in Spring 2024.