With heavy hearts, we share that a Forest Service firefighter employed by the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest was killed in an on-duty vehicle accident on August 4 near Powers, Oregon.

The fallen firefighter has been identified as Benjamin Charles Sapper, age 21. Benjamin, who was originally from Boulder, Colorado, was working as a first-year hand crew member on the Gold Beach Ranger District.

Benjamin graduated from Boulder High School and the University of Colorado with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Mathematics. Benjamin was an avid baseball player, chess player, and skier, and he loved engaging others in a wide array of topics including philosophy and mathematics.

He joined the Forest Service out of a desire to serve the community and be part of a great team. Benjamin was looking forward to starting graduate school this fall at the University of British Columbia in Earth Sciences. He was truly loved and will be missed.

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

A D V E R T I S E M E N T

“This is a devastating loss of one of our own Gold Beach firefighters. We have a tight knit community on the Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts, and we stand together in grief and support for his family, friends, and fellow firefighters during this heartbreaking time,” said Gold Beach District Ranger Kailey Guerrant.

The US Forest Service states that any additional information on how to honor Benjamin will be shared as it becomes available.

The Forest Service has asked the media to respect the privacy of Benjamin's family and employees on the Gold Beach and Powers Ranger Districts at this difficult time.


--Bruce Armstrong

Post Date: 2023-08-06 11:08:14

Last Update: 2023-08-06 11:19:51