****UPDATE: A fund has been established in honor of Holden.****

A 17-year veteran of the Orange Rural Fire Department died in the line of duty on Monday.

The firefighter was found unresponsive at the main station around 1:30 p.m. in downtown Hillsborough after a rescue call earlier in the day, according to a release.

Officials said revival attempts by the crew and emergency workers were ultimately unsuccessful.

“We are devastated,” Orange Rural Fire Chief Jeff Cabe said in the release.

The firefighter, who was identified as Assistant Chief Jeff Holden, had joined the department before turning 18 and became an employee in 2003.

Officials said Holden was one of two department firefighters who “entered a trench on West Ten Road in Efland today to free a person who was trapped.”

The department had been issued to assist the call along with its heavy rescue unit because the department has personnel certified in trench rescue.

Officials said the department has ceased operations until Tuesday night. Firefighters from surrounding departments are standing by “to respond to any calls without an interruption in response time.”

Orange Rural Fire covers approximately 64 square miles in central Orange County. The Town of Hillsborough contracts with the department for fire service.

Members of the local community took to social media to offer their condolences.

“We have heavy hearts this morning with the news of a fallen brother from the Orange Rural Fire Department,” wrote Chapel Hill Police on Twitter. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Assistant Chief Holden and the entire Orange County fire and rescue family.”

The Chapel Hill Fire Department released the following statement on Facebook:

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of Assistant Chief Holden and the Orange Rural Fire Department,” said Chapel Hill Fire Chief Matthew Sullivan. “Firefighting and the provision of all emergency services in Orange County is a joint effort. We work together; we train together; we fellowship together; we are a family. Yesterday we lost a brother, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of this young, smart, talented, kind man. Please continue to keep his wife, son, their family and the members of Orange Rural Fire Department in your thoughts and prayers.”

Orange County Sheriff Charles Blackwood also released a statement on Facebook:

“Collectively the men and women of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office send our thoughts and prayers to the Orange Rural Fire Department, Chief Holden’s family, and all the Orange County Fire Companies as we struggle to understand. Gone too soon but never forgotten, Rest Easy Faithful Servant, we’ll take it from here”

Orange County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Dorosin released a statement on behalf of the county on their website:

It is with heavy hearts that we learned of the passing of Assistant Chief Jeff Holden with the Orange Rural Fire Department in Hillsborough. 

Our firefighters and emergency responders are heroes that walk among us daily. They respond to and battle situations that few of us can imagine. Jeff “Stan” Holden was one of those heroes.

On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners we offer our sincere condolences to the family, Orange Rural Fire Department and emergency responders who have worked side by side with Assistant Chief Jeff Holden through the years. 

Featured image via Orange Rural Fire Department

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