“Long Beach Fire Captain Ryan Thornton passed away unexpectedly and leaves behind his mother and father, four brothers and two children,” Heflin wrote in a press release issued last week. “He was 46 years old.”
Thornton, an 18-year veteran of the LBFD, was appointed to the department on Sept. 22, 1997. He served as a firefighter and was promoted to fire engineer on Dec. 26, 2007 at Station 17.
On June 26, 2010, he was promoted to fire captain at stations 1, 7, 11 and 13.
At the time of his death, Thornton was assigned to Fire Station 19 on a special detail to Fire Station 24, where his chief responsibility was to oversee the hazardous materials operations throughout Long Beach.
“Ryan is remembered by his friends and co-workers as a genuine person that was always willing to help anyone in need,” Heflin said. “Ryan typifies what it means to be a firefighter and what they represent. His sudden loss is profound and will be felt by all the members of his fire family and the community in which he served. Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
A memorial service is scheduled for Oct. 14 with additional details to follow, according to the LBFD.
