SAN DIEGO — A celebration of life ceremony was held for a longtime San Diego Fire-Rescue captain killed last month in a motorcycle crash.
55-year-old Captain Derrin Austin served in the department for 32 years. He also served in the US Navy for several years and was deployed twice.
According to investigators, on May 14 around 10:00 p.m., Austin died after crashing his motorcycle into a light pole near North Escondido Boulevard and Washington Avenue.
The ceremony was held at the Maranatha Chapel in 4s Ranch Thursday afternoon.
"He was the guy that would give whatever to whomever was in front of him, he was a 'shirt off his back' kind of guy," said Deputy Fire Chief Steven Lozano. "He gave to his nation, to his community, to his city, and he gave to those around him."
"Every person he came in contact with, he made a difference in their life," said Deputy Fire Chief Robert Logan. "He was just one of those unique individuals. I don’t believe there’s many that would fit in those same shoes."
San Diego Fire-Rescue posted about Capt. Austin on social media last month.