Prayer vigil held for fallen JFRD firefighter

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The JFRD community honored one of its own on Wednesday. Lt. Mario Moya died in the line of duty of COVID-19, the department confirmed. He is the department’s first firefighter to die of the virus.

Family, friends, and fellow firefighters held a vigil for Moya at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church on Wednesday.

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Friends and former co-workers told Action News Jax that Moya served the community for 17 years.

A dedicated firefighter paramedic, and most importantly, a husband and father of three. He will be missed by many.

A retired JFRD fire chief, Ivan Mote, remembers when Moya first came on board.

”Young, hungry firefighter, and it’s just sad to think that he lost his life and that his family’s here to deal with the pieces,” Mote said.

JFRD stated Moya selflessly served throughout the pandemic, exposing himself to COVID-19, which ultimately cost him his life.

Division Chief of Rescue David Castleman knew Moya for years. He remembers him as having been an exceptional paramedic.

”Lt. Moya left a legacy with the person that he was, the way that he treated every patient that he went to. He treated them like they were his own family. Whether they lived on the river or whether they lived under a bridge,” Castleman said.

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Calling Moya’s death preventable, Mote worries more front line workers will die if people continue avoiding the vaccine.

”It’s not a matter of taking away your choice; it’s a matter of taking care of the community,” Mote said.

Calling Moya a true hero, Mote said JFRD lost a good one.

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