Firefighter Brandon Norbury dedicated his adult life to the service of others.

After graduating from Canon City High School in Canon City, Colorado, Brandon joined the U.S. Navy, ultimately becoming a member of the elite Navy Seal Team 2. He received his honorable discharge in 2000, after ten years of service to his country.

After his military service, Brandon received his Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic certification in 2000 from Tidewater Community College in Virginia Beach, Virginia. After relocating to Oregon, he attended Portland Community College, taking classes in the fire sciences curriculum, finishing his associate degree in 2001. Since he was not immediately successful in landing a fire department career, he joined the Gresham Police Department in September of 2001. When asked why the change from fire to police, he replied that he had a family to support.

His quiet but intense demeanor and previous experience made him a good fit for the police department’s tactical team. During his seven years with the Gresham Police Department, his duties included patrol officer, firearms instructor, SWAT team member, and he served as the department’s armorer.

With seven years of experience with the police department, Brandon applied to be a Gresham firefighter, joining the Fire Recruit Academy in July 2008. With his certification from Virginia, he became a firefighter/paramedic, serving with the Gresham Fire Department for over 15 years.

His fearlessness and get-it-done attitude were quickly embraced by coworkers. He worked at most of the stations, spending most of his time at Station 31 and Station 76.