Paddle Out Honors CA Ocean Rescue Team Member

Sept. 19, 2022
Ventura Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew Clapsaddle died in Hawaii while on vacation.

Ventura fire and rescue personnel honored a fellow Ocean Rescue Team member at a place he loved -- the water.

Firefighter/Paramedic Matthew "Clappy" Clapsaddle, 59, died of a sudden cardiac emergency while in Hawaii celebrating his 25th anniversary.

His wife, Jennifer, and friends joined his firefighter family in the paddle out.

"It is so amazing, I mean the fire family has been so supportive, I literally have 77 new brothers and of course my Mary Kay family, everyone here, friends, family just came out to honor Clap so, so thankful," she told KEYT. 

"He saved so many lives out in the field," she said, adding that he loved the ocean. 

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