JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The family of a 23-year-old Jacksonville Fire and Rescue engineer who died on Wednesday morning said they are thankful for all the love and support that they have received.
The family posted on Facebook expressing their gratitude to the community.
In a post on social media, JFRD said that Colton R. Tibbetts joined the agency three years ago, and in November, was promoted to engineer at just 22 years old.
This morning, active duty Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department Engineer Colton Tibbetts passed away.
— THEJFRD (@THEJFRD) March 25, 2026
He was a beloved son, brother, friend, and a dedicated firefighter who served our community with pride.
Colton followed in his father Brian’s footsteps when he joined JFRD… pic.twitter.com/tlnyyf7hSH
“He was a beloved son, brother, friend, and a dedicated firefighter who served our community with pride,” JFRD said. “We ask that you keep the Tibbetts family, his crew, and all members of JFRD in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”
The Jacksonville Firefighters Death Benefit Fund also posted to social media with a tribute to Tibbetts, noting that he came from a family of firefighters.
The post also stated that Tibbetts died following a single-vehicle crash that happened on Wednesday morning, and that the page will update the community on funeral arrangements once they are finalized.
According to the Florida Highway Patrol, a 23-year-old man was killed in a crash early Wednesday morning in Putnam County.
Betsy Condon is a family friend and the Clay County District 4 Commissioner. She recalled a memory of Tibbetts, a relationship that formed through her youngest son.
“Colton was very respectful,” Condon said. “Every time I saw him, he would give me a hug and say, ‘Hey Miss Betsy.’”
Friends, loved ones, and the JFRD family were mourning the loss.
“I am their County Commissioner now, but that’s not any of the way that I know Colton,” Condon said.
It was the elementary school days at the ball field or at school events, Condon said Tibbetts was in gifted classes with her son, and commended him for being a bright and intelligent student.
“Colton was full of life,” Condon said. “You would expect nothing less. His parents are just wonderful people, salt of the earth.”
“We have the utmost respect for those who put their lives on the line to protect the people of our great city. He chose public service as a career, following in his father’s footsteps,” JSO wrote on social media.
Mayor Donna Deegan also sent her prayers to Tibbetts’ family and the entire JFRD family.
“Jacksonville will always be grateful for his decision to serve our community and carry on his father’s legacy as a firefighter,” she wrote.
Even though there are thousands of firefighters, it’s all one big family and they support each other. The news is never easy to hear, but their legacy will be cemented.
“You can’t know everyone, but in this instance, I worked with his dad for many years,” Kelly Dobson said.
He said he admired Tibbetts for following in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps by becoming a public servant.
“There is that connection that you grow up together, you hear about people’s kids, and then you hear about some unfortunate news like that,” Dobson said. “Whether it’s our administration, any city official, the citizens, just be there to support them.”
The funeral services will be held at Community Christian Church in Keystone Heights on Sunday at 4 p.m.