Fire Fighter III Clifford Rigsbee has died from injuries in rescue watercraft training.
Rigsbee lost his life in the line of duty from injuries sustained during Rescue Water Craft training off of Diamond Head on Tuesday, June 14, 2016. He was rescued and brought to shore by fellow fire fighters, including an off-duty fire fighter. Rigsbee was treated by Fire Fighters, Ocean Safety personnel, and EMS paramedics and then transported to Straub hospital.
Rigsbee joined the HFD in July 1995 and was promoted to Fire Fighter III in October 2004. He was a member of Waikiki Fire Station’s Engine 7. He was previously assigned to the HFD Training and Research Bureau where he taught and managed medical programs and made a difference in many Fire Fighter’s lives.
Rigsbee was also a well-known and nationally-ranked triathlete who had won several Tinman Triathlon competitions. While off duty in October 2012, he rescued an injured hiker on the Koko Crater Trail and carried her down from the top of the trail to waiting HFD and EMS crews below. He received an HFD Certificate of Commendation for his actions that day.