Community Corner

Memorial Service Announced for Fallen Cal Fire Chief

The event will be Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose.

A memorial for theΒ late Battalion Chief Rob Van WormerΒ of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Prevention will take place on Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, a Cal Fire spokeswoman said Wednesday.

The service will start at 10:30 a.m. and from 1,000 to 2,000 people are expected to attend, including fire service and law enforcement personnel, family members, friends and members of the public, Cal Fire spokeswoman Angela Bernheisel said.

The HP Pavilion is located at 525 W. Santa Clara St. in downtown San Jose.

Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Van Wormer, 47, a 24-year veteran of Cal Fire, was investigating a fire in Santa Cruz County early last Saturday evening when he lost consciousness and was taken to a hospital, where he died about an hour later.

In his honor, Cal Fire director Ken Pimlott ordered the agency's flags to fly at half-staff and for Cal Fire personnel to wear shrouds over their badges until Van Wormer's memorial.

Find out what's happening in Milpitaswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Gov. Jerry Brown expressed sadness at Van Wormer's passing and also ordered flags in the state Capitol in Sacramento to fly at half-staff.

--Bay City News Service


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here