SACRAMENTO - Dozens of firefighters who died as a result of their brave work will now be permanently remembered.
82 names were added to the California Firefighters Memorial in Sacramento during a ceremony over the weekend, the first time such a gathering has been held since the start of the pandemic Caylie Valenta, the widow of Vista Firefighter Andy Valenta, tells reporting 10 News it's a difficult time for her.
"I don't want him on that wall, but the fact that he will be up there forever is an incredible honor," Caylie said.
Andy Valenta passed away in 2021 from melanoma and Caylie started a foundation in her late husband's name to offer free skin cancer screenings at fire stations in California. Occupational cancer is one of the leading causes of death among fire fighters in the state.
Seven other fallen firefighters from San Diego County were also honored at the memorial:
Storm McInerny - North County Fire Department
Yaroslav Katkov - Cal Fire San Diego
Rudolph Metzger - Carlsbad Fire
Robert Praytor - Cal OES (started career in Fallbrook and Pendleton)
Jason O'Brien - Cal Fire San Diego
Chris Mertz - Rancho Santa Fe Fire
Ryan Mitchell - Cal Fire SD / SD County Fire / US Forrest Service
Photo: Getty Images