The Mountain View Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own, a 36-year-old firefighter and a beloved and deeply respected public servant who is being remembered for his “compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service.” Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya died on July 14. His death followed a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, according to the fire department. Shamiya was a nine-year veteran of the department, talented in his skills and admired for his character in his first responder duties and beyond. He served in the departmentโs honor guard unit, which leads ceremonial events, including funerals for fallen heroes and special memorial tributes. His strong and trusted skills were accompanied by a caring bedside manner, a calm and confident presence, especially under pressure, and “the warmth and humility he brought to the firehouse every day,” the department shared in a statement to KTVU on Tuesday. The admiration for Shamiya went beyond his role as a firefighter and medic.
