Josh Macdonald Memorial

Ian Zahn Photo ©

On July 11th, 2020 Berthoud Fire Protection District Fire Investigator Joshua Macdonald was laid to rest following a church service at the Foundations Church in Loveland, a procession with dozens of emergency vehicles, and a graveside ceremony with full military and firefighter honors culminating with an aircraft overflight with missing man formation by the Rocky Mountain Renegades. Fire Investigator Macdonald injured his knee after falling through a floor while preforming an origin and cause investigation at a structure fire March of 2016. After many surgeries including the amputation of his left leg above the knee and complications from infections he succumbed to his injuries on April 17th, 2020. Macdonald served in the United States Air Force before joining Berthoud in 2013 as a wildland firefighter. He received a Colorado Firefighters Purple Heart award for enduring a serious injury in the line of duty in 2017. Berthoud Fire Chief Stephen Charles honored Macdonald with flags to his wife Lauryn Macdonald, Kaycee his daughter and his parents Julie & Norman Macdonald. A flag that had been flown at the Colorado state capitol in Josh’s honor was also given to his family by Michael Morgan of the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control. Firefighters and apparatus were joined by local EMS and law enforcement agencies from all across northern Colorado to stand by the family of Fire Investigator Macdonald and his fellow firefighters at Berthoud Fire Protection District. Josh was 34-years old. Additional information provided by Berthoud Fire Protection District

Loveland Fire Rescue Authority, Thompson Valley EMS, Front Range Fire Rescue, Mountain View Fire Rescue, Frederick-Firestone Fire Protection District, Colorado Division of Fire Prevention & Control, Greeley Fire Department, Windsor Severance Fire Protection District, Platte Valley Fire Protection District, Platteville-Gilcrest Fire Protection District, Colorado State Patrol, Lafayette Fire Department, Loveland Police Department, Larimer County Sheriff, Lafayette Police Department, Wind & Fire Motorcycle Club, Patriot Guard Riders, Weld County Sheriff, Wellington Fire Protection District, Cozy Corner Towing & Recovery, United States Air Force & Colorado Emerald Society