RANCHO SANTA FE —
Fire officials on Thursday night said a captain who worked 30 years for the Rancho Santa Fe Fire Protection District died from complications of COVID-19.
A statement from the district said Capt. W. Chris Mertz, who died Wednesday, will receive full line-of-duty-death honors.
The 54-year-old was most recently assigned to Station 5 in Harmony Grove Village, according to the district’s statement. He is survived by his wife, Canli, his son, Garrett, who is a firefighter with Cal Fire San Diego, and his two daughters, Natalie and Roxanne, who both serve in the Air Force.
We regret to inform you of the Line of Duty Death of Captain W. Chris Mertz. pic.twitter.com/cOtWti5USz— Rancho Santa Fe Fire (@RSF_Fire) January 22, 2021