The Jacksonville community is grappling with loss after the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) announced the passing of Firefighter and Engineer Jason Woodruff due to "job-related" brain cancer. According to First Coast News, the 53-year-old was actively serving with the department at the time of his passing.
Woodruff, who devoted 11 years of his life to serving the community, was stationed at Fire Station 19 in Arlington. The department stated he will be "forever remembered for his dedication to this community and his love of being a Jacksonville firefighter." An engineer for the department, Woodruff's death is considered a line-of-duty death. JFRD Captain Eric Prosswimmer revealed to First Coast News the cancer was "job-related."
Woodruff's death is a sobering reminder of the risks firefighters face, including exposure to harmful carcinogens. In a statement obtained by News4Jax, the JFRD expressed their mourning for a loss of a beloved member who dedicated more than a decade to protecting the residents of Jacksonville.
The local fire department has reached out to the community, asking for support for Woodruff's family during this tragic time. "Please keep his wife Jennifer and their children in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time," JFRD said in a social media post. Woodruff's commitment and sacrifices have imprinted on the hearts of his colleagues and those he served, a testament to the life he lived in the service of others.
