Rancho Santa Fe fire captain dies of COVID-19 complications [The San Diego Union-Tribune]
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 U.S. Air Force.