A procession and funeral are planned Tuesday, Feb. 8, for Vidal “Max” Fortuna, the Stockton fire captain who was fatally shot while responding to a fire last week, the city announced.
A closed funeral service Fortuna, 47, will be held at 11 a.m. in Stockton along with a procession for the captain.
Fortuna, a 21-year veteran of the department, was shot and killed on Monday while responding to a trailer blaze at 142 S. Aurora St. A man is in custody and has been charged in the fatal shooting.
Police said when Fortuna and fire crews from Engine 2 noticed that the fire was spreading to a nearby building, they attempted to enter the building to extinguish the fire.
However, Fortuna was struck by gunfire and later died at a hospital.
The city said the memorial service will include the Fortuna family and friends, the Stockton Fire Department and their families, active and retired members of fire service and law enforcement agencies from throughout the state and invited guests only.
Community members will be able to attend the memorial via live stream on Facebook.
Details about the procession route and viewing locations can be found on the fire department’s web page.
“The outpouring from the community and others throughout the nation has been overwhelming,” Stockton fire Chief Rick Edwards said in a statement. “We appreciate and are humbled by the tremendous support.”
In lieu of flowers, the union Stockton Professional Firefighters Local 456 has provided an opportunity for making a donation at Fund the First. The fundraising effort had nearly reached its $150,000 goal as of late Friday.