Our colleague and brother, Shadd Rohwer, lost his long battle with cancer this year. He was a 19 year veteran of the Farmington Fire Department, FEMA USAR veteran and Rescue 3 International instructor.
He fought his cancer with an astounding level of dedication and fierceness to the very end. He passed away peacefully, honorably, and on his own terms.
He was surrounded by his family and fire brothers. Fellow Rescue 3 and Arroyo Rescue instructors Tom Anderson and Vince Moffitt spent time with him in his last days and hours along with his family and other firefighters from Farmington and Albuquerque Fire Departments.
His death is being handled as a line of duty death because his cancer is covered under NM Presumptive Disability laws. Phoenix and Farmington Fire Departments are standing guard over Shadd until his remains are passed on to the family after a memorial and celebration of his life.
Shadd has a servants heart and a passion for Rivers, firefighting, rescue, teaching and helping others. We worked side by side with Shadd in fires, floods, and the classroom. He leaves a legacy that will continue to touch others in his death.
Rest easy Shadd. In his memory wear your safety gear. He always did and he wasn’t exempt so neither are any of us.