Fire Department Honors Fallen Hero

The Novato Fire Protection Department held a solemn ceremony Tuesday to mark the ten year anniversary of the death of Steven Rucker, a Novato firefighter who died while battling a wildfire in San Diego County in 2003.

Firefighters, family and friends watched as the Novato Fire Honor Guard raised a flag in honor of Rucker, who was just 38 when he perished in the Cedar Fire. He is the second firefighter in the district's 80-plus year history to die in the line of duty. 

Captain Doug McDonald, now retired, was also severely injured in the Cedar fire.

"We came together yesterday as a family to remember Steve, to remind his family that they are forever members of the Novato Fire family and that we are here to continuously support them," Chief Marc Heine said.