National Fallen Firefighters Foundation

Roll of Honor

Firefighter

Age: 24

Year of Death: 1950

William Joseph “Sonny” Bottini Jr.

Firefighter William Joseph “Sonny” Bottini Jr., age 24, of the San Rafael Fire Department died on May 22, 1950, from injuries sustained in a roof collapse during a fire at Mar Vista Motors.

Sonny joined the department in 1949 as on of the first paid members of the department. He was a World War II veteran who served with the Marines.

This firefighter line of duty fatality occurred before the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial was built in Emmitsburg, Maryland. While this firefighter has not been officially honored at the Memorial site, there are plans to do so when resources are available.