Brandon Mitchell Underhill

Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Mitchell Underhill passed away as a result of a line-of-duty injury on September 29, 2013. He had served with the Lake Valley Fire Protection District in California for eight years. He was 34 years old.

Underhill was born in South Lake Tahoe, California, where he was raised by his loving and supportive parents, John and Jody, along with his brother, Matt, and sister, Corrie. Growing up in a small mountain community that he eventually served, his passions included skiing, rock climbing, and backpacking. He was on the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski race team at South Tahoe High School. He was a talented athlete who found a love for surfing while at college in Santa Barbara. He also loved to play the guitar.

Underhill and his wife, Sarah, met through a mutual friend and their first date was rock climbing at Lovers Leap in South Lake Tahoe. They married at the Ahwahnee Hotel in Yosemite National Park in 2007. They had two sons, Mason and Cedar who were only one and two years old when he passed away.

Underhill’s best friend growing up was a firefighter who died at the age of 24 due to a traumatic brain injury. This connection inspired him to choose a career where he could help people and serve his community. He joined the Lake Valley Fire Protection District on September 27, 2005. He served with dedication and devotion, loving the camaraderie of his crew. He enjoyed the technical logistics involved in fire and paramedic work in the mountains, including rope and helicopter rescue techniques. His goal was to work his way up to Captain or Chief, doing the job he loved. Underhill was among the first brave firefighters on the scene to battle the 2007 Angora Wildfire in his own community of South Lake Tahoe.

Throughout his career, he lived a life of service, as a ski patroller, backcountry ranger, and finally, a Firefighter/Paramedic. He was an exceptionally gifted athlete and leader. He will be remembered as a humble, passionate, adventurous, spiritual, giving, and strong man who was loved by all who knew him.

Firefighter/Paramedic Brandon Mitchell Underhill is survived by his loving wife, Sarah, his children, Mason and Cedar, his father John, his siblings, Matt and Corrie, and many other cherished family members. His amazing mother Jody passed away a week after he died of cancer devastating this tight-knit family.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Underhill family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.