25-Year Veteran Of Lodi Fire Department Killed In Motorcycle Accident

LODI (CBS13) - A 25-year veteran of the Lodi Fire Department was killed early Friday morning in a motorcycle accident in Amador County.

Captain Joe Hansen, 50, was killed after a crash in the town of Pioneer, the fire department said.

The California Highway Patrol said that Hansen was traveling west on Highway 88 near Foster Meadow Road when he allowed his bike to go off the north side of the road. It hit a snow marker, overturned and he was ejected. Hansen died at the scene.

A passing motorist found Hansen and called in the accident. No other vehicles were involved.

"I received a phone call from the police chief this morning around 4 a.m.," Fire Chief Larry Rooney said. "It's an extremely sad day for the Lodi Fire Department."

"Lost a leader in our department, a leader in our community," said Battalion Chief Jeff Larson.

For those that knew Captain Hansen, they say he was nothing like the serious demeanor put forth in his duty photo.

"A happy-go-lucky guy. Loved the outdoors," Larson said.

Late Friday afternoon fellow first responders had gathered to grieve, proudly displaying his uniform in his memory.

"He loved motorcycles. He was very cautious with them," Rooney said.

So as they grieve, they're left with questions. What caused the crash? And what could have happened if a call for first responders to assist one of their own had come sooner.

"We could second guess things all day long, but it wouldn't do anyone any good," Rooney said. "The department in a family, and the family has a loss right now."

Hansen is survived by his wife, Natalie, and adult son Alex.

Hansen served on numerous committees and was very active in the Lodi community. He had "given wholeheartedly to the community that he so dearly loved," the department said in a press release. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of our lost colleague."

"A tragic loss. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Joe's Family and the Lodi Fire Department Family," tweeted UC Davis Fire Department Chief Nathan Trauernicht, who is also president elect of the California Fire Chiefs Association.