David Robert Dangerfield, a 48-year-old white male, passed away on October 15, 2016, in Vero Beach, Florida. He was a respected Battalion Chief with the Indian River County Fire Rescue and had dedicated 27 years of his life to serving the community. Dangerfield was also known for his involvement in various charitable activities, including founding the annual Firefighters’ Chili and Salsa Cook-off and supporting the Big Heart Brigade of Indian River County.
On the day of his death,
David Dangerfield died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Prior to his death, he had openly shared his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on social media, urging others in similar situations to seek help. His death was a tragic reminder of the mental health challenges faced by first responders. There were no arrests, suspects, or criminal investigations related to his death, as it was determined to be a suicide.
In the wake of his passing, the community and his family emphasized the importance of mental health support for emergency service providers. His wife, Leslie Dangerfield, and other family members encouraged firefighters and emergency workers to seek professional help for PTSD. Memorial contributions were directed to the International Association of Firefighters PTSD Charitable Fund, highlighting the ongoing need for mental health resources in the firefighting community.
