ARIZONA NEWS
Flags to fly at half-staff in Arizona for Mesa fire captain who died of cancer
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey ordered flags be lowered to half-staff on Thursday at all state buildings in honor of fallen Mesa firefighter Trevor Madrid, who died of a rare form of cancer.
Madrid, a retired captain of the Mesa Fire and Medical Department, died Sunday afternoon at the age of 36 while being surrounded by family and friends, the agency said Monday.
Ducey said the flags would remain at half-staff from sunrise to sunset.
“Arizona is deeply saddened by the loss of Captain Trevor Madrid,” Ducey said in a press release. “He put his life on the line day in and day out to protect Arizonans, and it’s devastating that his service ultimately led to his passing.
“We must do more to protect our first responders from life-threatening illnesses. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family, friends and colleagues of Captain Madrid during this challenging time.”
Madrid battled synovial sarcoma for more than two years, a disease that is diagnosed in only 1-2 people per million in the U.S. each year, according to the National Cancer Institute.
He spent 13 years with Mesa Fire and Medical.
