Rescue Engineer Colton Tibbetts, a Jacksonville firefighter, died in a tragic vehicle crash at 23.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD) announced Wednesday the death of Rescue Engineer Colton R. Tibbetts, 23, who according to the Jacksonville Firefighters Death Benefit Fund, died in a single-vehicle crash in the early morning hours of March 25, 2026.
Tibbetts was hired July 8, 2022, as part of Recruit Class 322 and was promoted to rescue engineer on Nov. 1, 2025.
He was the son of recently retired Lt. Brian Tibbetts and Jody Tibbetts and came from a family of firefighters.
A photo shared by the department shows Tibbetts with his parents and brother on Oct. 6, 2022, the night he graduated from recruit training.
Officials asked the community to keep Tibbetts’ family, friends and co-workers in their thoughts and prayers as they cope with the sudden loss. Funeral arrangements will be announced once finalized.
JFRD issued a statement saying, “We ask that you keep the Tibbetts family, his crew, and all members of JFRD in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.”