August 9, 2023 5:30 a.m. 

In honor of Forest Service wildland firefighter Benjamin Charles Sapper, a “Cordon of Honor” made up of federal, state and local fire apparatus and emergency vehicles will line Highway 101 and Ellensburg Avenue in Gold Beach on Wednesday.

Acting Forest Supervisor Jake Winn said, “While he had only been here for a short amount of time, Benjamin embraced this community. This show of support will have great meaning for his family”.

A Forest Service release said the Cordon of Honor will remain static along Ellensburg Avenue as the Sapper Family is escorted through the City of Gold Beach by local law enforcement and Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest fire apparatus. Expected time of escort is between 1:30 p.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Sapper was killed in a motor vehicle accident while on duty Friday near Powers.