Vista Fire and Paramedic Department, California • Line of Duty Death: April 25, 2021
On April 25, 2021, Vista Fire Department Firefighter and Paramedic Andy Valenta passed away in the comfort of his home three months after being diagnosed with stage 4 melanoma in January of 2021.
Valenta was born in Indiana and raised in Encinitas, California where he grew up playing baseball and surfing. At the age of 12, Valenta was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and was hospitalized for several months, eventually receiving a life saving bone marrow transplant.
Valenta devoted his life to service to give back, in a way. He had received such exceptional care when he was hospitalized as a child, he wanted to help others in a similar capacity. Valenta joined the Vista Fire Department in 2009, and thrived with the brotherhood and camaraderie that came along with being a firefighter. Valenta led a fulfilling career as a first responder, making it his mission to be the best firefighter and paramedic that he could possibly be.
The Andy Valenta Melanoma Foundation was created by widow Caylie Valenta after the passing of her beloved husband. The foundation raises awareness about cancer in the fire service, and provides skin cancer screenings at fire stations. Caylie stated, “It has been a gift to create something good out of Andy’s death.”
Vista Fire Department Firefighter and Paramedic Andy Valenta is survived by his wife, Caylie, and their two daughters, Lily and Grace.