St. Paul honors firefighter Timothy Bertz after on‑duty death days after academy graduation
St. Paul honored firefighter Timothy Bertz, a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate who died days after graduating, at a memorial attended by department leadership, colleagues and family who remembered his “all in” mentality and commitment. Gov. Tim Walz issued a proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Bertz’s funeral and encouraged state buildings, businesses and individuals to lower their flags in his honor.
📌 Key Facts
- Gov. Tim Walz issued a formal proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Firefighter Timothy Bertz’s funeral.
- The half-staff order applies to all state buildings and encourages individuals, businesses and other entities to lower their flags; the proclamation specifies the funeral date (Monday) and cites Bertz’s service record and recent graduation from the St. Paul Fire Academy as the reason for the honor.
- Timothy Bertz was a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate who died days after graduation, underscoring how early in his career he died.
- Bertz was remembered by peers for an 'all in' mentality; coverage highlighted his role, age and other biographical details.
- A memorial service in St. Paul drew St. Paul Fire Department leadership and community members; family, colleagues and city officials delivered remarks and specific quotes reflecting on his character, commitment and impact on the department and community.
📊 Relevant Data
Sudden cardiac death accounts for approximately 45% of all firefighter duty-related fatalities in the US.
Extreme sacrifice: sudden cardiac death in the US Fire Service — PMC
Non-white firefighters show significantly lower mortality than expected compared to the US general population for all causes (SMR=0.68), all cancers (SMR=0.79), and lung cancer (SMR=0.57).
Mortality in a cohort of US firefighters from San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia: an update — Occupational & Environmental Medicine
Firefighters aged 40 to 49 accounted for the highest number of on-duty deaths in 2024.
US fatal firefighter injuries declined by 31 percent in 2024 — International Fire & Safety Journal
Deaths among firefighter recruits and probationary firefighters are often due to sudden cardiac events during physical training, with documented cases including collapses from exertional heat illness and overexertion.
Everyone goes home — except some recruits and applicants — FireRescue1
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Provides biographical detail on Timothy Bertz, including his age, role as a recent St. Paul Fire Academy graduate, and reputation among peers as an 'all in' firefighter.
- Describes the memorial service itself: location, approximate attendance, participation by St. Paul Fire Department leadership, and tenor of remarks.
- Includes specific quotes from family members, colleagues and/or city officials reflecting on his character, commitment and impact on the department and community.
- Clarifies the short time between his academy graduation and the incident that led to his death, underscoring how early in his career he died.
- Gov. Tim Walz issued a formal proclamation ordering U.S. and Minnesota flags at half-staff statewide on the day of Firefighter Timothy Bertz’s funeral.
- The half-staff order applies to all state buildings and encourages individuals, businesses, and other entities to lower their flags as well.
- The proclamation specifies the funeral date (Monday) and cites Bertz’s service record and recent graduation from the St. Paul Fire Academy as the reason for the honor.