The Tragedy

6.25.18

Long Beach Fire Captain Dave Rosa, 45, was shot and killed on June 25th, 2018, while responding to a fire alarm with reports of an explosion at Covenant Manor Retirement Home at around 3:49 a.m., in Downtown Long Beach.

Upon arrival at the multi-story building, firefighters discovered windows were blown out and a sprinkler was activated. They extinguished the fire in about 10 minutes and continued searching for victims.

As Captain Rosa called for the paramedics to assess a victim with burns, the 77-year old resident shot Captain Rosa and another Firefighter around 4:08 a.m.

The resident was the person who had set off the explosion and then said he felt ‘scared’ when asked why he shot the firefighters.

Captain Rosa was pronounced deceased at St. Mary Medical Center. The second firefighter was treated and released.

Rosa was a 17 year veteran with the Long Beach Fire Department and leaves behind his wife Lynley and two sons, Alec and Samuel.

A Hero’s Farewell.

Captain Dave Rosa was laid to rest on July 3rd, 2018.

His funeral was attended by thousands of firefighters and civilians from all over the U.S.

It was a fitting tribute to a fallen hero.

We Have Not Forgotten.



Every Friday, the crew at Fire Station 1 in Downtown Long Beach put fresh flowers right outside the site where Captain Rosa was shot.

It’s their goal to not forget what took place that day, and to never forget the sacrifice that Dave made on that day.