Spokane Valley Fire Department (SVFD) is sad to share the news of the passing of Firefighter Dan Patterson, Thursday, August 4. Firefighter Patterson suffered a cardiac event on July 21st shortly after going off shift. SVFD waited to share the news of Firefighter Patterson passing until now out of respect for the family’s wishes for a few days of privacy to grieve their great loss.
“It is with heartfelt sadness that I share the news of Dan’s passing,” said SVFD Fire Chief, Frank Soto Jr. in an email to all SVFD personnel. “Know that his personal family and his Firefighter Family were with him during his passing. Dan was a big presence for many of us—even for me in my short time here. I have watched the shares of “remember to be kind to each other like Dan, hug each other like Dan, and tell each other you love them . . . like Dan” and hope in the days to come, and as time passes, this sentiment remains within us all. We need it every day.”
Firefighter Patterson has been at Sacred Heart Medical Center since July 21 on life support where family, friends, and members of the Spokane Valley Fire Department have stood by his side hoping for a recovery from this tragic and unexpected event. Firefighter Patterson was taken off life support Monday, August 1. He gave his last service as an organ donor to help those with medical needs.
“Firefighter Patterson will be missed by all who knew him and by those who knew of him,” said SVFD Captain and Local 876 President, Shawn Pichette. “He was a great man who loved serving others. His wish was for a kinder world where more love was shown every day to the people you knew and the people who crossed your path.”
Firefighter Patterson will be honored with the Line of Duty Death Funeral Protocol.
The procession to the Chapel will include the following route (map attached).
SVFD expects the route will be lined with friends, family, and other emergency responder departments and ask that drivers be respectful and aware of a larger than normal number of pedestrians in the area.
- North on Argonne from Euclid
- 6.1 miles Left Peone
- 8.2 miles Cross railroad tracks
- 8.4 miles Right Market
- 8.9 miles Left Farwell
- 10.5 miles Farwell turns to Hastings
- 12.0 miles Land at Calvary church Package will turn into church parking lot underneath Flag and crossed ladders
The procession will leave SVFD Fire Station 2 at 11:15 a.m. and arrive at Calvary Chapel approximately between 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Funeral Services schedule:
WHEN: Wednesday, August 10
TIME: 1 p.m.
WHERE: Calvary Chapel
511 W Hastings Road
Spokane, 99218
There will be a designated media location outside the church. It is asked that media do not approach the family or go inside the chapel during the funeral service.
Out of respect for the family’s wishes, it is asked that only family, SVFD personnel, and emergency responders from other departments attend the funeral service.
SVFD Fire Chief, Frank Soto Jr. and Spokane Valley Firefighters Local 876 President, Captain Shawn Pichette will both make a statement to media in the media staging area prior to the beginning of the service.
The family wishes to thank the community for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support they have received over the past few weeks. It has been a very emotional, sad, and difficult time for everyone.
