The flag-draped casket of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez arrived for his memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center on Monday, Aug. 21, in the bed of Riverside County Engine 37.
It was a fitting tribute to Rodriguez.
A photo of Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez is displayed on a digital screen during the memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Mourners gather to pay their respects as they remember Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, who tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)”
Dorothy Rodriguez, wife of Capt. Tim Rodriguez, speaks at a memorial service for her husband at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Via YouTube)
A Cal Fire helicopter circles overhead as mourners gather for the memorial service of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Mourners gather to pay their respects at the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)”
Members of the Cal Fire Honor Guard march solemnly during the procession at the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
A Cal Fire honor guard salutes as the procession for Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez arrives at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, for his memorial service. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Firefighters and guests gather at the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on August 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, resulting in a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cal Fire director and fire chief Joe Tyler speaks at a memorial service for Capt. Tim Rodriguez at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Via YouTube)
Two ladder trucks display the American Flag on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario as firefighters and guests arrive at the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, who died when the spotter helicopter he was riding in collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon and crashed on Aug. 6. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Joshua Rodriguez mourns as his father’s casket arrives for the memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Firefighters stand and salute as the flag-draped casket of Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez is carried into his memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The flag-draped casket of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez is reverently carried to his memorial service as hundreds of firefighters gather to pay their respects at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on August 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The casket of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, is solemnly lowered from a fire engine during the procession to his memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on August 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
The flag-draped casket of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez arrives on the back of a fire engine as hundreds of firefighters gather to pay their respects at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cal Fire personnel stand at attention beside the casket containing the remains of Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez as it arrives in the back of a fire engine during the procession to his memorial service at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on Aug. 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon, leading to a fatal crash. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
in Ontario on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Two ladder trucks display the American Flag on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario as firefighters and guests arrive at the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, who died when the spotter helicopter he was riding in collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon and crashed on Aug. 6. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Family members, including his wife Dorothy at the center, along with their three children, mourn as the casket is lowered during the procession to the memorial service for Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez, 44, at the Ontario Convention Center in Ontario, on Monday, Aug. 21, 2023. Capt. Rodriguez tragically lost his life on August 6 when the spotter helicopter he was aboard collided with another firefighting helicopter over a brush fire in Cabazon and subsequently crashed. (Photo by Watchara Phomicinda, The Press-Enterprise/SCNG)
Cal Fire Unit Chief Bill Weiser said Station 37 in Desert Hot Springs is just about the busiest in the county, and when Rodriguez — mountain biker, snowboarder, stargazer, husband and dad — was assigned there as a firefighter in 2010, he quickly adopted the station’s mantra of prioritize and execute.
“It’s a rough, tough area and it’s a station that matches it,” Weiser said. “It was built decades ago.”
“Tim worked hard, he played hard and he loved the hardest,” his wife, Dorothy Rodriguez, said while sobbing. “So if there is one thing I wish you all to leave here with today, it is to live life like Tim. Get off your phones and get outside.”
Said Rodriguez’s son, Josh Becerra: “We’re all so proud of him for living his life to the fullest and never backing down.”
“I cannot speculate on what happened, but I know we lost three great men. We will learn from this tragic accident,” Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler said.
Cal Fire Capt. Tim Rodriguez was killed in a collision of two helicopters over the Broadway fire in Cabazon on Aug. 6, 2023. (Courtesy of Cal Fire)
Daniel Romero, a Fontana police officer and tactical officer on that department’s helicopter, said before the ceremony that he came to pay tribute to a fellow aviator.
“The firefighter world is very small. The police world is very small. And then when you talk about aviation, it’s an even smaller group of people, and it’s tight-knit. Everybody knows everybody somehow. So it really hits home when somebody in the aviation world passes away, especially in the line of duty,” Romero said.
Monday’s ceremony, witnessed by about 1,000 firefighters and other public safety workers from around the country, as well as Gov. Gavin Newsom, was full of nods to Rodriguez’s career. As his casket was escorted into the convention center, tankers 72 and 73 — two airplanes assigned to the Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base where Rodriguez was stationed — circled overhead.
The old Copter 301 that Rodriguez used to fly in was parked inside the convention hall, with the newer Copter 301 displayed outside. Engine 26 that Rodriguez used to drive out of the Little Lake station near Hemet was parked inside the hall as well.
Rodriguez began his career in 2002 as a seasonal firefighter in Mecca, but he had his sights set much higher.
“He was so passionate about everything in aviation, said Dorothy, his wife of 20 years. “In the air, it was the only place he wanted to be.”
Rodriguez was promoted to captain in 2019 and the graduate of West Valley High in Hemet achieved his dream when he was assigned to Hemet-Ryan in 2022. The airfield is home to Cal Fire’s helicopters and airplanes that respond to fires in Riverside County.
From that base, he participated in Cal Fire’s first night-vision goggles training and trained others on air rescues.
“Hemet-Ryan is a special place. Only the best and the brightest can work there,” Weiser said. “They must be excellent firefighters. They must also be able to perform rescues in the toughest conditions.”
Rodriguez also excelled as a dad, Becerra said. The family was always involved in one activity or another. Rodriguez liked to point out constellations to Joshua and his daughters Alexis and Haley, ride bikes with them and once built a cardboard box “town” for them to live in.
“He’s the most sweet and understanding person I have ever met,” Josh said. “He knew everything. He’s so knowledgeable and was always waiting for somebody to ask him a question. He loved learning and sharing what he learned.”
Said Dorothy: “He never looked down on anyone, except to help them up.”
She described her husband as her soul, her heart and her best friend.
“It is impossible for me to put into words my love for Tim,” she said. “He did a lot of living. He always had another adventure planned.”
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