Jesse Trader - Firefighter - Oregon

Jesse Trader, age 19, of Albany, Oregon, died on August 6, 2013, on a road near Soldier Camp, Oregon.

Jesse was working as a water tanker driver for a privately owned firefighting company.

He was returning from an evening shift at the Big Windy Complex fire when the water tanker hit an embankment and rolled over. Firefighters in vehicles behind him stopped to help but all efforts to save him failed. Jesse had spent all night on the fire and was en route to hand off the truck keys to a replacement driver when the accident occurred.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

Jesse graduated from West Albany High School.

Jesse had a baseball scholarship to Western Oregon University but chose to enroll at Chemeketa Community College for its fire protection program instead.

The Governor of Oregon issued a statement thanking Jesse for his commitment to helping protect his fellow citizens.

Saint Florian, Patron Saint
of Firefighters, pray for Jesse

Family members stated that firefighting work was what Jesse wanted to do. He is described as a young man of faith, who had great potential to succeed in life.

He is also described as humorous, kind hearted and generous.

Friends describe Jesse as friendly and caring. He will be forever missed.

Jesse is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his mother, Gigi Trader; two younger siblings, one of whom is Jacob Trader; and his girlfriend, Brandi, who Jesse planned to marry. 

Thank you for your service to the public, Jesse.   

Pray for all who die as a result of doing their job. Amen.

Pray for all who die by misadventure. They are with us one moment and gone the next. Amen.

Pray for the 19 year old men who have died tragically. Yesterday they were just boys. Amen.

Pray that Jesse is in heaven. Pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.