It is with sadness we report the passing of one of our employees, Lieutenant Wylie "Dale" Johnson Jr. Dale was off-duty, kitesurfing off the coast near Lincoln City Thursday afternoon when an accident occurred. As reported by Oregon State Police, a friend Dale was kitesurfing with noticed he was unresponsive. Dale was brought ashore and CPR was started until medics from North Lincoln Fire & Rescue arrived. Crews and medical staff continued lifesaving efforts at Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital. Tragically, Dale succumbed to his injuries.

Dale started his career as a volunteer firefighter in Jackson County, Oregon. In 1995 he joined Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue as a firefighter/paramedic and in 2006, was promoted to lieutenant. Since 2011, Dale was assigned to Station 35 in King City. Fellow firefighters said Dale loved his crew, his job, and was someone who was passionate about everything he did, be it work or play. He was an avid kitesurfer and enjoyed his time on the water.

"Dale Johnson was a good firefighter, a good lieutenant and a good man. The men and women at TVF&R will miss him, and our hearts go out to his family," states Chief Mike Duyck.

The family does not wish to be contacted by media and no further information is available at this time.