OBITUARIES

Remembering Jesus Romo

Of all active and retired firefighters in California, few were more closely identified with the California Firefighters Memorial than Sacramento City Fire Department Battalion Chief, Jesus Romo, who passed away this past February at the age of 80.

In 1995, Romo, an artist and 27-year firefighting veteran, was commissioned to create and sculpt what has become the iconic image of the Memorial – the statue known as “Fallen Brother.”

The moving statue, which currently stands in the center of the California Firefighters Memorial, depicts an anguished firefighter removing a fallen colleague from the flames. “Fallen Brother” was the first firefighter memorial statue in the nation to actually depict a fallen firefighter.

“Being chosen to make a contribution to the California Firefighters’ Memorial,” Romo said at the time, “has been the honor of a lifetime.”

A native of Mexico City, Romo came to the United States and, after serving in the U.S. Army and completing college, he was hired by the Sacramento City Fire Department in 1975. He retired from the department in 2002 with the rank of battalion chief. By then, he had already achieved acclaim as an artist, having created mosaics and paintings that adorn area churches and synagogues.

“Nobody was more committed to honoring the legacy of our fallen brothers and sisters than Jesus Romo,” said CPF President Brian K. Rice. “We mourn his loss, and will never forget the contribution he has made to our profession."

In Memoriam: Tim Strack

Earlier this year, CPF joined the brothers and sisters in Riverside City Firefighters Association Local 1067 in mourning the sudden loss of their president, and CPF 1st District Vice President Emeritus, Tim Strack.

Brother Strack served more than 30 years as a Riverside firefighter, earning the rank of captain. He spent more than two decades as the president of Local 1067, becoming one of the most influential and respected fire service leaders in the Inland Empire. He was elected as CPF’s 1st District Vice President in 2010, where he served for a decade.

“As a firefighter, union leader and a professional, Tim Strack answered every call with passion, commitment and hard work,” said CPF President Brian K. Rice. “Tim’s leadership, skill and dedication has helped transform the lives of his members. Tim was a respected and pragmatic voice on the CPF Executive Board, never losing sight of his true North Star – the lives and well-being of every frontline firefighter.”

In addition to his service to his brother and sister firefighters, Brother Strack’s 30+ years as a Riverside firefighter brought him in touch with every aspect of public safety, and led to two terms of service on the state’s Seismic Safety Commission. He was also honored posthumously at the recent Cal-JAC Conference for his dedicated work in promoting firefighter apprenticeship.

“Tim’s passing leaves an unfillable hole in our profession and our union,” said Rice. “CPF joins the entire California fire service in sending our deepest condolences to Brother Strack’s family and the brothers and sisters of Local 1067, whom he served so tirelessly.”