SACRAMENTO, CA – Senator Melissa Hurtado (D-Sanger) today introduced SCR 14 to honor the lives of Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones, who both perished tragically exactly a year ago today in service of the Porterville community for the Porterville Fire Department.

“Fire Captain Figueroa and Firefighter Jones were among the best of us – hardworking, selfless, and brave beyond measure,” said Senator Hurtado. “It is important we recognize these men as the heroes they are and honor their memories and sacrifice with this resolution and by serving our communities, just as they did.”

SCR 14 designates a stretch of State Route 65 in the city of Porterville as the “Fire Captain Ramon “Ray” Figueroa and Firefighter Patrick Jones Memorial Highway”. The two men were killed battling the City of Porterville Library Fire on February 18, 2020. As the first to arrive to the scene, Figueroa and Jones conducted a primary search to ensure all civilians had exited the building. Unfortunately, the two never made it out, succumbing to fatal injuries incurred during their search.

Media Contact: Jim.Evans@sen.ca.gov

About Senator Melissa Hurtado

Senator Melissa Hurtado represents a new generation of Latina leaders as the youngest woman ever elected to the California State Senate and a product of immigrant parents. Senator Hurtado represents the 14th Senate District and focuses on rural community issues that often go unheard — access to clean air and water, food insecurity and poverty, inequities in environmental policies, agriculture and access to health care. In July 2020, she was appointed to the national Biden Latino Leadership Committee alongside former Labor Secretary and current Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda Solis – the only two California Latinas on the Committee.

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