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William Christopher Mertz

Captain

Captain William Christopher Mertz, while on-duty at the fire department, contracted COVID-19.  He passed away on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from the virus.

Fatality status is provisional and may change as USFA contacts State Fire Marshals to verify fatality incident information.

Department information

Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District
PO Box 410
Rancho Santa Fe, California 92067

Chief: Fred Cox

Age: 54
Rank: Captain
Classification: Career
Incident date: December 27, 2020 8:00 a.m.
Date of death: January 20, 2021
Cause of death: Exposure
Nature of death: Covid-19
Activity type: In-Station Duties
Emergency duty: No
Duty type: Other On-Duty
Fixed property use: Store/Office

Last updated: March 03, 2021

Watch America’s Tribute to Fallen Firefighters

Honoring line-of-duty deaths in 2019