Timothy David Rodriguez, a loving husband, father, and dedicated firefighter, passed away tragically in a helicopter accident while fighting a fire in Cabazon, California, on August 6, 2023.

Tim is survived by his loving wife of 20 years, Dorothy Rodriguez, and their three children, Joshua, Haley, and Alexis. He was a devoted family man, always putting his loved ones first. His love and dedication to his family were matched only by his commitment to his profession.

Tim’s CAL FIRE career began in 2002 as a seasonal firefighter in the Riverside Unit, working most of his time at the Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base. In 2007, he was promoted to the rank of Permanent Firefighter II at Fire Station 79 in the city of Coachella. In 2010, he was transferred to Station 37 in Desert Hot Springs, which is routinely one of the busiest of CAL FIRE’s hundreds of stations. In 2014, Tim was promoted to fire apparatus engineer, and was assigned to the Hemet Ryan Air Base. In 2015, Tim was assigned to Station 12 as a company officer on a Wildland Type III Engine. In 2017, Tim transferred to Fire Station 26 in the community of Hemet, where he first started as a volunteer. In 2019, Tim was promoted to the prestigious rank of fire captain and assigned to Fire Station 14 in the city of Norco. In 2021, Tim transferred back to Hemet Ryan Air Base as a heli-attack captain. Tim’s true passion was in aviation. He was immensely knowledgeable, an excellent mentor to new firefighters, and had a work ethic second to none. Tim was a firefighter’s firefighter, truly respected and admired by his firefighting family. Hemet Ryan Air Attack Base was Tim’s last assignment before passing.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Tim was a man of many interests. He was adventurous, a lover of the outdoors, and enjoyed snowboarding and mountain biking often with his wife, Dorothy, accompanying him. Tim was a man of courage, always ready to face any challenge head-on. He was a courageous firefighter, a loving father, a devoted husband, and a loyal friend. His adventurous spirit was infectious, inspiring those around him to take on new challenges and experience the world’s beauty. He routinely would tell friends and colleagues, “Get off your phone and get outside!”

In remembering Timothy David Rodriguez, we celebrate a life lived with purpose, courage, and love. His memory will live on in the hearts of the many lives he touched, both personally and professionally. His loss is deeply felt, but his spirit will continue to shine brightly, guiding us on our journey through life.