Family, friends and colleagues mourn the loss of a Sonoma County firefighter.

Captain Kyle Heard, 43, of the Rancho Adobe Fire District died Friday evening from complications following a medical emergency at his home in Santa Rosa, said Herb Wandel, the district’s battalion chief.

The department was still being questioned on Saturday evening, Wandel said, and few further details were immediately available.

Heard joined the Penngrove-based Rancho Adobe district as a volunteer in 2003, was promoted to full-time engineer in 2013 and was promoted to full-time captain last year, Wandel said.

Support for Heard’s family and his colleagues has arrived from fire departments across the county, Wandel said.

“The support has been incredibly large and far-reaching,” said Wandel. “This was a young person with a family and two small children, and we are working to help him take the next step.”

A GoFundMe account was set up for Heard’s family on Saturday.

The accompanying text described Heard as “a dedicated firefighter, a beloved member of our community, a loving husband to Rachael and a devoted father to his two children, Logan and Parker. Kyle’s sudden death has left an unimaginable void in the lives of those who knew and loved him.”

It continues: “Kyle was a hero not only in his professional life, but also in his role as a husband and father. Now we want to ensure his legacy of love and care lives on.”

Santa Rosa Firefighters Local 1401 posted on Instagram: “The loss is heartbreaking and has been difficult for our Sonoma County firefighting family community. Captain Heard leaves behind two sons and a wife. Please keep Heard’s family and friends in your thoughts. Rest in peace brother, we will get through this.”

Reach staff writer Jeremy Hay at 707-387-2960 or [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @jeremyhay