Community mourns off-duty vehicle accident death of Cosumnes, Elk Grove firefighter

December 23, 2018 | 

The Elk Grove and other communities served by the Cosumnes Fire Department are mourning the death of an off-duty firefighter. 

On the early afternoon of Saturday, December 22, Albara "Al" Meraz was involved in a single-vehicle rollover accident on Highway 99 near Sheldon Road. There were no other passengers in the vehicle and no other motorist were injured.  

Cosumnes Fire Department Chief Mike McLaughlin issued the following statement: 

“Cosumnes Fire Department is saddened to share the tragic news that firefighter Albaro “Al” Meraz was killed in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 99 near Sheldon Road while off-duty.

A Sacramento native, Firefighter Meraz joined Cosumnes Fire in 2001 as part of the largest recruitment academy in the district’s history. He was awarded Valor Award for Exemplary Service in the Course of Duty in 2007.

In 2009, he was recognized with the Firemark Award for his work to distribute smoke detectors to non-English speaking residents in our community, taught first aid to Sacramento-area farm workers and trained firefighters from the western region of Mexico in modern firefighting techniques through the “Bomberos” program. Al was also instrumental in the donation of a fire engine and ambulance to the Town of Guerrero Negro Fire Department, as well as uniforms and other firefighting equipment to firefighters in Mexico.

Al was an accomplished athlete who participated in the Battle of the Badges charity boxing program in the Sacramento region and competed in the Boston Marathon.

Firefighter Meraz was a deeply valued brother in the fire service, among the 185 members of the Cosumnes Fire family and our local community. Our hearts are broken for his wife Dina, son Josh, and daughter Cheyenne for their loss.

Cosumnes Fire will share information about services for Firefighter Meraz once they are available.”

"Cosumnes Fire is saddened to share the tragic news that firefighter Albaro “Al” Meraz was killed today in a single-vehicle accident on Highway 99 near Sheldon Road while off-duty."
Read the full statement from Cosumnes Fire Chief Mike McLaughlin: https://t.co/hWy3uaFeEX pic.twitter.com/Da9kTeq5no

— Cosumnes Fire Dept. (@CosumnesFire) December 23, 2018

Today our community lost a hero.  EGPD stands with @CosumnesFire in mourning the loss of Firefighter Al Meraz. Our thoughts and prayers are with Firefighter Meraz's family, friends and @CosumnesFire during this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/qMJAQXLnAR

— EGPD (@ElkGrovePD) December 23, 2018

The #SacFire, @metrofirepio and @FolsomFire mourn the loss of our brother, Firefighter Al Meraz from the @CosumnesFire .

Proud husband. Loving Father. Respected Firefighter Brother. pic.twitter.com/NiqlBpBjTn

— Sacramento Fire (@SacFirePIO) December 23, 2018