CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. — Chesterfield Fire and EMS (CFEMS) Captain Jason Ware was killed on his way to work Friday morning, Chesterfield Fire and EMS Capt. Joe Harvey confirmed.
Ware, 46, was killed in a head-on collision along the 7100 block of Lewis B. Puller Memorial Highway in King and Queen County at about 6 a.m., according to Virginia State Police.
The crash, which happened just before the West Point Mattaponi River Bridge, remains under investigation.
The condition of the other driver has not yet been released.
Ware leaves behind a wife and two daughters.
“We are heartbroken by this sudden loss," Chesterfield Fire Chief Edward “Loy” Senter Jr. said. "The department will be providing support as needed to the family and coworkers during this very difficult time."
The 20-year CFEMS veteran was assigned to Engine 201 “A” Shift at the Chester Fire Station.
"He was just very passionate about the job, I mean he started out like many of us did as a volunteer firefighter at a very young age," Senter said.
Ware worked at various fire stations across the county, but was ultimately assigned to what was said to be his beloved fire station in Chester.
Chief Senter described Ware as not only a great firefighter but a great leader.
"I spent some time with his crew this morning and they shared with me that he really cared for those under his command," Senter said. "He worked with them and made sure their needs were met and that they had all the training they need to be successful."
With Ware's plans to help open a new fire station in Chester, Chief Senter says they hope to honor the Captain in some way at the new station.
"He was very excited about being able to open that new station, so we talked a little bit about how we might be able to recognize him as a part of that new station when it opens," Senter said.
Chief Senter says there aren't words to truly describe the heartbreak those that loved him feel following his death. But, he says, that each day they suit up to serve their community, they plan to work and lead in the way Captain Ware always did.
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