VIDEO: Members of the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department and Ocean Rescue are mourning the loss of one of their own.
Jeremy Owens, a captain with the Wrightsville Beach Fire Department and Ocean Rescue died suddenly Monday, according to Wrightsville Beach Fire Chief Glen Rogers.
According to Rogers, Owens was a lifeguard for Wrightsville Beach for 20 years and with the fire department for about 12 years.
“He was just an outstanding gentleman,” Rogers said. “A true professional. Ocean rescue and fire and just an all around good sport. Just really good physical shape, worked out everyday, just every task that he took he took it to 100%.” Rogers says he taught and mentored hundreds of younger lifeguards over the years leaving an impression upon many.
“Many, many people from the junior lifeguard program all the way up to our senior members of the department that are just being deeply, deeply affected by his loss,” he said.