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JACKSONVILLE, Fla – The JFRD community honored one of their own on Wednesday. Lt. Mario Moya died in the line of duty from COVID-19, the department confirmed. He is the first firefighter in the department to die from the virus.
Family, friends and other firefighters stood vigil in Moya’s honor at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Wednesday.
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Friends and former colleagues told Action News Jax that Moya has served the community for 17 years.
A dedicated firefighter and, most importantly, a husband and father of three. He will be sadly missed.
Retired JFRD fire chief Ivan Mote remembers Moya arriving on board.
“Hungry young firefighter, and it’s just sad to think he’s lost his life and his family is there to take care of the pieces,” Mote said.
JFRD said Moya served selflessly throughout the pandemic, exposing himself to COVID-19, which ultimately claimed his life.
Rescue division chief David Castleman had known Moya for years. He remembers him as an exceptional paramedic.
“Lt. Moya left a legacy for who he was, the way he treated every patient he saw. He treated them like they were his own family. Let them live by the river. or under a bridge, ”Castleman said.
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Calling Moya’s death preventable, Mote fears more frontline workers will die if people continue to avoid the vaccine.
“It’s not about taking away your choice; it’s about taking care of the community, ”Mote said.
Calling Moya a true hero, Mote said JFRD lost a good one.
© 2021 Cox Media Group
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