It is with great sadness that family, the Farmington Fire Department and Local 2850 announce the death of Lt. Jacob Shadd Rohwer, age 44. Lt. Rohwer succumbed to his battle with cancer surrounded by his family and friends on Jan. 11 at 10:10 a.m. where he was receiving treatment in Phoenix. Lt. Rohwer was diagnosed with cancer in June of 2015; its circumstances qualify his death as a LODD (line of duty death). He made the ultimate sacrifice for the community he loved and served. The City of Farmington and the Farmington Fire Department will be working closely with Local 2850 and other state representatives to recognize and honor his service to the department and community. Lt. Rohwer was a member of the department’s Technical Rescue Team, Wildland Team, Surface Water Oil Spill Emergency Response Team (SWOSER) and Engineer Committee. Lt. Rohwer was also a Rescue 3 International Instructor and a member of the New Mexico Urban Search and Rescue Team; he was deployed following Hurricane Katrina for his specialty training and skills. On the day of his death, Lt. Rohwer reached his 19th anniversary of honorable service with the Farmington Fire Department, by completing his last and greatest act of bravery. He was an admired and well-respected member of the department and his presence on the team will be irreplaceable. Lt. Rohwer leaves behind his parents, Jerry and Joan; and his brother, Tobi (wife Alison and nieces Grace and Emery), of Pagosa Springs, Colo.; his cousin, Ryan (wife Jodi and children Hailey and Aiden), of Albuquerque, N.M.; and numerous other family and friends. A visitation for family and friends is scheduled on Friday, Jan. 19, from 5-9 p.m. at Farmington Funeral Home, 2111 W. Apache Street in Farmington. A memorial service and celebration of Lt. Rohwer’s life is scheduled on Sunday, Jan. 21, at 2 p.m. at San Juan College Henderson Fine Arts Center, 4601 College Blvd. in Farmington. Memorial donations can be made to the following organizations in Lt. Rohwer’s honor: Hustle Kindness/Peach’s Neet Feet, hustlekindness.com; Farmington Professional Fire Fighters Local 2850/Shadd Rohwer Fund, Four Corners Community Bank.
