LECANTO, Fla. — A beloved Citrus County Fire Training Captain has been laid to rest.
Captain Michael Fletcher died in an off-duty boat crash on the 4th of July. According to FWC, a vessel collided with his boat and ejected him. While the crash remains under investigation, Saturday was an opportunity for his loved ones and colleagues to celebrate his distinguished life.
The procession and funeral service was a tribute befitting a local hero. Family, friends, and countless emergency responders from Citrus County and beyond came together Saturday to pay their respects to a man who they say made a profound impact on everyone he met.
"This is exactly what he would have wanted," said Citrus County Deputy Fire Rescue Deputy Chief Kieth Long. "He attended firefighter funerals and paid his respects, so this is very fitting to his stature and who he was as a person."
Captain Fletcher was an everyday hero who molded other heroes.
"He was hired in as a training captain and he brought such a wealth of knowledge with him," said Long. "Everyone in the department had respect for him and he was just such a good soul."
Captain Fletcher served with Citrus County Fire Rescue for six years. Prior, the agency said he spent about 20 years with Marion County Fire Rescue.
However, on Saturday, he was remembered most for his impact outside of work, on those he always put first.
His mother, Teresa Fletcher said, "He always made time for his family, even if he sometimes had to work two or three jobs to make ends meet."
His son Bradley Fletcher said, "Every milestone in my life was taught to me by him, from driving a car to driving a boat, getting my first job, and more importantly how to be the best partner I can be. I hope to be half the dad he was."
A phony GoFundMe page was circulating this week, which falsely said it was working to support Fletcher’s family. It has since been removed.
If you'd like to help support the family, you can donate to the GoFundMe put together by Citrus County firefighters by visiting this link.
FWC is still investigating the deadly boat incident.
Captain Fletcher was 42-years-old.