Polk County Fire Rescue Chaplain Hector Cruz was traveling between fire stations to check on crews when he was fatally injured in a crash near Eagle Lake

POLK COUNTY, Fla. — Polk County Fire Rescue is mourning the line-of-duty death of volunteer Chaplain Hector Cruz, who died from injuries sustained in a crash.

The department said in a press release that Cruz was traveling between PCFR stations to check on crews when the crash occurred on Aug. 19 in the Eagle Lake area.

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“Chaplain Cruz’s influence was felt throughout the department as he had the ability to make a difficult situation easier. This ability is a rare one that not many can master, but he was one of the few who did,” Fire Chief Shawn Smith said. “Such sudden tragedy is never easy, but it is especially difficult when it is one of our own. My heart goes out to Hector’s family, friends and colleagues as they navigate this trying time.”

Cruz had served with PCFR since 2023 and was known for providing compassion, guidance and support to fire and EMS personnel and members of the community during difficult times.

The cause of the crash is under investigation.

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