Community Mourns Death Of South Metro Fire's Troy Jackson

CENTENNIAL, CO — A former assistant chief of operations with South Metro Fire Rescue died Monday after battling cancer. Troy Jackson, 51, was diagnosed with adenoid cystic carcinoma, which is believed to be job-related.

"Despite the physical and emotional challenges of his illness Chief Jackson triumphed as a phenomenal leader and mentor and will be remembered as such," South Metro Fire Rescue said in a statement.

Jackson was hired in 1990 as a firefighter, and became an engineer in 1995, a lieutenant in 1997 and then a captain in 2005. He was then promoted to training bureau chief in 2015 and assistant chief of operations in 2016.

Flags are flying at half staff at all South Metro Fire Rescue buildings, and all personnel are wearing shrouded badges in his memory.

Jackson's legacy will live on not only with the many lives he changed as a firefighter, but his impact on health and safety improvements that reduce firefighters' exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens, officials said.

"Chief Jackson’s commitment extends much further than South Metro," the department's statement read. "His devotion for his family including his wife Lori, daughter Carley, as well as his son Covey and daughter-in-law Courtney was unmatched."

"He was such an extraordinary person who loved his family dearly and our hearts go out to all of them for the loss of their husband and father."