Honoring our fallen
Remembering Ventura County Fire Fighters who have fallen in the line of duty
Since Ventura County Fire Department’s establishment in 1928, twenty-one Ventura County Firefighters have made the ultimate sacrifice in the service to their community. Below we memorialize these members who have fallen in the Line of Duty. Death in Line of Duty conveys with it a deep tragedy and yet also an incredible honor among the families (both in the home and firehouse) and friends to have known, befriended and loved a fallen firefighter. These members who appear here died under circumstances directly tied to their occupation in the fire service.
Fallen Ventura County Firefighters are remembered in the hearts of their brothers and sisters, and in the memories of the community that they served. Their names are forever etched on the Fallen Firefighter Memorials at the Ventura County Government Center (800 S. Victoria Road, Ventura) as well as on the International Association of Fire Fighters’ Memorial wall in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Please take a moment to reflect on these firefighter’s lives and service to their communities.
Marshall R. Jacobe, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: October 7, 1970
Cause of Death: Trauma
Orice H. Miller, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: May 17, 1979
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Orice Miller, “Randy” as he was known to family and friends, joined the Ventura County Fire Department in 1961 and worked there until his death on May 17, 1979. He once said that all he ever wanted to be was a fire fighter and that’s just what he did. He was a fireman in the Air Force during the Korean War, a fireman in the State of Virginia and finally a fireman in Ventura County where he rose to the rank of Captain. Randy died of cardiac arrest at the age of 43. He was a loving father, son and husband. He loved his job and the people he worked with. The stories he often brought home about his firefighting brothers were filled with bravery, humor and compassion. He truly lived the life he wanted. He is survived by his wife and four daughters.
Kent Hawthorne, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: July 1, 1982
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Kent was an Army Veteran having served in the Vietnam conflict; upon discharge, Kent attended Ventura College earning a degree in Fire Service. He joined the Ventura County Fire Department in 1972.
Kent enjoyed fishing, camping and water skiing. He was a very kind and good-hearted person. He was also a good handyman and could fix just about anything. He was always there when someone needed help with repairs to their home or at the station.
But the most important thing in life to him were his sons. He took them fishing, camping, volunteered at school as a teacher’s aide, coached soccer and baseball; always making sure that they knew they were loved. Kent would be very proud of his sons: one a Carpenter and one a Fire Fighter – both a wonderful combination of their father.
Leslie V. Erickson, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: January 29, 1989
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Les Erickson realized his lifelong dream of becoming a fire fighter in 1968 when he joined the Ventura County Fire Department. He loved every aspect of his job but he especially enjoyed being an engineer. He was nicknamed Mr. Clean for bringing in his own towels because he thought the ones at the department left minute scratches in the paint. He spent hours under the engines, helping other firefighters trace hydraulic lines and encouraging them in their testing. Les left his mark by helping to design the department seal and doing the gold leafing on the department fleet. Les was called an Engineer in his eulogy and was promoted to Captain some years before he died. Aside from his job, Les loved traveling, camping and boating with his family. He often remarked that he had a perfect job. Not everyone is lucky enough to work at something they love and get paid for it.
David Gutierrez, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: August 1, 1990
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
In his twenty-nine years with the Ventura County Fire Department, David Gutierrez climbed the ranks from being a Fire Fighter, to an Engineer, to a Prevention Officer. While he loved all of his positions within the department, he found his niche as an arson investigator, joining both the Arson Task Force for the State of California and the Arson Investigators Association. Outside of his career, Dave loved spending time with his wife, daughter and two sons. A man of his community, Dave could always be found barbequing for a fire department event and was a member of the Moorpark Unified School Board for many years.
Wayne Pulley, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: August 21, 1991
Cause of Death: Other
William E. Marsh, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: January 28, 1992
Cause of Death: Cancer
In Memoriam:
Ted Marsh was a fire fighter with the Ventura County Fire Protection District for 21 years, where he achieved the rank of Captain and the respect and love of all those who knew and worked with him. Ted graduated from Oregon State University in 1964 with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration and was a member of Beta Pi Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and received the Army Aviator Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Medal with 14 Oak Leaf Clusters and Bronze Star Medal. Ted, an outstanding athlete himself, dedicated many years as a volunteer working with various youth athletic programs. Ted is deeply missed by both his family and his fire fighter family Ventura County Professional Firefighters’ Association, Local 1364.
Robert M. Forbes, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: December 17, 1992
Cause of Death: Lung Cancer
In Memoriam:
Robert Forbes started his fire service career in Virginia with the Newport News Fire Department. After moving to California he served seven years with the Compton Fire Department before joining the Ventura County Fire Department in 1972 where he rose to the position of Fire Engineer. For over thirty years Bob was a dedicated Fire Fighter who loved the fire service and could not imagine doing anything else with his life.
Patrick Dalton, Battalion Chief
Died in the Line of Duty: March 25, 1994
Cause of Death: Leukemia
In Memoriam:
Patrick F. Dalton began his career with the Ventura County Fire Department in 1961. He served as a Fireman, an Engineer, a Captain and Battalion Chief within the department; performing each job with complete dedication. As a fire fighter, his foremost thought was for the protection of the citizens, their property and the safety of his colleagues.
Pat was devoted to his family, loved life and shared himself and his talents freely.
Keith W. Kraetsch, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: June 24, 1995
Cause of Death: Cancer
In Memoriam:
Keith Kraetsch was born in West Bend, WI, and moved to Oak View, CA when he was five years old. After high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served four years. He was married and had two sons. He worked six years for Pacific Bell and was encouraged to join the Ventura County Fire Department in 1969. He loved the Fire Department, rising through the ranks to become Engineer and then Captain. His love was serving for eleven years as the President of the Ventura County Professional Fire Fighters Association. He wanted to make the department the best in the country and enacted many changes and negotiated many contracts. Diagnosed with cancer in Dec. 1994, Keith passed away June 24, 1995. He is missed very much by his wife, sons and the four grandsons he never got to meet.
Terrill L. Tyner, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: July 13, 1998
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Terry is remembered with joy for his warm welcoming smile, heart of gold, and endearing sense of humor. He treasured his God, his wife, his children and granddaughters, his entire family and many friends. He was content with the simple things in life: being with family, beach camping, fishing, playing basketball, driving a red ‘65 Chevy pick-up, and serving his fellow man.
Terry was born June 27, 1940. A lifelong Ventura resident, he joined the Ventura County Fire Department in 1970 and quickly moved up to the rank of Captain. He couldn’t wait to go to work each day! His co-workers would tell you they worked with him not for him. He was a genuine team player who respected and enjoyed those he had the privilege of serving with.
Ralph S. Osler, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: September 16, 2002
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Ralph Osler lived a life pursuing his passions- public service, family, and flying. In 1977, Ralph’s zeal for public service shifted when he joined the Ventura County Fire Department. A second-generation fireman, Ralph rose through the ranks to an Engineer. Developing many lifelong friends with his warm nature and humor, those who worked closest with him affectionately remember him as Housler. To his family, he is remembered as a devoted husband and a loving father of three. Ralph brought joy and happiness to those in his life. Unfortunately, his time was cut short as he suffered from one of the leading causes of fire fighter fatalities – heart disease.
Joe L. Luna, Firefighter
Died in the Line of Duty: March 19, 2007
Cause of Death: Cancer
In Memoriam:
Joe began his fire career in 1974 as a firefighter where he served for many years throughout the county. But perhaps he was best known for his tireless dedication as the department’s Public Information Officer.
Joe was highly respected by local and national media. His ability to inform the public in both English and Spanish was credited on many occasions for helping facilitate orderly evacuations during some of Ventura County’s most dangerous wildfires. Joe spearheaded the department’s involvement in the Spark of Love Toy Drive, often delivering the final gifts himself on Christmas Eve.
Joe was everything a firefighter should be: hardworking, honest, dedicated and reliable. Joe always remembered your name. But it was Joe’s sense of humor that always made you remember his. Joe’s jokes are still being told by many of his fellow firefighters. Joe retired from the Ventura County Fire Department in 2006 and passed away too soon on March 19, 2007.
Steven A. Gregory, Firefighter
Died in the Line of Duty: August 26, 2007
Cause of Death: Cancer
In Memoriam:
Steven began his firefighting career at Camarillo State Hospital where he worked for 19 years, the last seven as a firefighter. He joined the Ventura County Fire Department in 1998, and worked the last eight Years as a firefighter on Truck 54 out of Station 54 on Pickwick Drive in Camarillo.
Steven had an enormous sense of family both for the family that he was born into and the family that he discovered when he became a firefighter that carried him through to the end. Steven died Sunday, August 26, 2007 of complications arising from esophageal cancer contracted in the line of duty. He was 46 years old.
Leonard K. Jenkins, Fire Captain
Died in the Line of Duty: September 27, 2009
Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
In Memoriam:
Leonard always wanted to be a fire fighter. His dream became a reality in 1974 when he was hired by Ventura County Fire Department. He climbed the “ladder” to become a Captain, but his first love was being an Engineer. He also had a great time working with the hand crew and dozer operators. Leonard was an inspiration to many, always encouraging others to reach their full potential. His life was full of adventure. He enjoyed waterskiing, building houses, riding horses, growing grapes but what he loved most was his family.
John Spiker, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: December 20, 2013
Cause of Death: Occupational cancer
Ryan S. Osler, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: September 21, 2016
Cause of Death: Trauma
In Memoriam:
Ryan Stewart Osler passed away in the early morning hours of Wednesday, September 21, 2016, in Lompoc, California, while responding to the Canyon Fire. Ryan and his partner were involved in a tragic accident involving their water tender as they were transporting water to the fire.
Ryan was born on August 29, 1978, in Camarillo, California, to Ralph and Cherie Osler. Ryan grew up in the Santa Clarita Valley, where he attended elementary school, junior high school, and graduated from Saugus High School in 1997.
Ryan is survived by his wife, Jennifer, his high school sweetheart. They would have celebrated their 16th wedding anniversary on October 7, only 16 days after his passing. Ryan is also survived by his two beautiful children, Amanda Rose and Brandon Stewart; his mother, Cherie; and his two sisters, Julie and Jeanine. He was preceded in death by his father, Ralph Stewart Osler, who retired as a fire engineer for Ventura County Fire Department.
Starting in high school, Ryan went after a career in the fire service by taking classes after school and then completing a fire academy at Oxnard Community College. Ryan began his career with Ventura County on the hand crew when he was 19 years old. Even at a young age it was evident that he was determined to give his all to pursue a professional career as a firefighter. In 2006, his dream of becoming a firefighter became a reality.
Both professionally and personally, Ryan was known as “that guy,” the one that could be trusted to do a job well, do it correctly, and give it everything he had. Known as “Otter” throughout the department, his reputation spread quickly as the guy who always had a strong sense of duty, offered a quick grin, and was the first to get dirty or offer a helping hand. He continues to be the example of kindness, honor, competence, and patriotism that defines a true hero.
Ryan would go to the ends of the earth for those he loved and even for those he did not know. That is what made him an exemplary firefighter.
Many things brought happiness to Ryan, but he found the most joy in showing his love for his wife and children by providing for his family and creating meaningful memories together.
Ryan is deeply missed by all, and he will be celebrated by generations to come. He is a true hero in every sense of the word. He is a hero to the community, a hero to his brotherhood, a hero to his friends, and a hero to his family. As strongly as he lived, so will his legacy.
Rueben Murrieta, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: October 12, 2018
Cause of Death: Lung Cancer
In Memoriam:
A dedicated son, firefighter, husband, father, brother, friend, coach, and patriot—Engineer Murrieta began his lifelong love and service for the fire department in 1972 with the LAFD hand crew at Malibu. His 43-year record is exemplary, with an award as the 2000 Ventura County Firefighter of the Year. Rueben was known for his quiet consistency, easy going manner, and inviting presence. Rueben’s legacy inspires others through his commitment to integrity. A pillar of the community, Rueben touched the lives of firefighters, children, and countrymen; as a member of the Knights of Columbus, in service to his faith, he nourished thousands. Rueben Murrieta is honorably remembered for giving the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
Rueben was born on February 29, 1952, in Santa Ana, California, to Rafael and Elvira Murrieta; the sixth of ten children. On October 24, 1975, he married the love of his life, Irene M. Martinez. They were married for 44 years. They have two sons, Anthony and Alejandro, and two granddaughters whom “grandpa” adored.
Rueben attended schools in the Los Angeles area, graduating from Whittier High School in 1971. Rueben decided to follow in the footsteps of his brothers and became a firefighter. He was hired by the LAFD 1972; he joined the International Association of Fire Fighters. In 1977, he accepted a position at the Ventura County Fire Department. He often expressed to Irene that he loved his job. Throughout his career he was committed to his work and was recognized as the Fire Fighter of the Year in 2000. Engineer R. Murrieta retired with the VCFD in 2010.
Rueben was actively involved with his son’s sport activities. Coaching, mentoring youth, and developing life-long friendships with families. He was a devoted member of Santa Clara Parish. Rueben epitomized what it was to be a dedicated member of the Fourth Degree of the Knights of Columbus #750 Council; also serving as the Treasurer; and, as Faithful Navigator. He was also a member of the Loyal Order of Moose Lodge, Legion #175. He cooked and barbecued for dozens of charitable annual events (on a mobile BBQ pit that he built with his Brother Knight). He actively served the community, fed the homeless, donated time, distributed toys; to his quality, he oversaw and participated in making 10,000 tamales for the Servants of Mary, Minister to the Sick, for their annual Christmas Boutique. Rueben continued to assist anyone in need throughout the duration of his burden.
Rueben loved traveling. His travels brought him closer to the world he appreciated. With his faithful wife, they traveled extensively throughout Europe and North America, including Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico. He enjoyed listening to music, dancing, barbecuing with his family and friends, cooking for the shift at the station, and playing golf. He especially looked forward to the annual golf tournament with his brothers at Baja Mar Country Club. He was also an avid sports fan, mechanic, and movie buff.
Rueben will truly be missed. He was absolutely devoted, epitomized commitment, and exemplified integrity. He was a genuine man, kind hearted and sincere. We take comfort that he is free from pain, at peace in his mother’s arms, and that his family and friends have forever-always a guardian angel looking over them.
He is survived by the love and grace he imparted on to everyone who knew him.
Gary D. Oliver, Fire Engineer
Died in the Line of Duty: February 16, 2019
Cause of Death: Cancer
In Memoriam:
Our hearts are heavy with sadness as today we lost our friend, our brother, Gary Oliver. A 27-year veteran of the Ventura County Fire Department, Gary was a respected firefighter and loved member of the VCPFA family. A great conversationalist, Gary was a guy that you looked forward to seeing at the kitchen table for shift change. Gary was at once resolute and conscientious; he knew himself and where he stood but respected and valued the thoughts of his brothers and sisters in the firehouse. A kind man, a gentle soul, a highly regarded and accomplished Fire Engineer, Gary our friend, our brother you left us too soon. We thank you and your family for sharing your life with us for nearly three decades. Rest in peace brother.
Gary Hart, Battalion Chief
Died in the Line of Duty: February 21, 2019
Cause of Death: Lung cancer