El Dorado Hills fire department honors Lieutenant killed in line of duty

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department was joined by members of the local community Monday to carry on a tradition of remembering one of their own that lost his life in the line of duty.

Back on Sept. 16, 1965, Lt. Peter Bertelsen, a member of the El Dorado Hills Fire Department, was serving his community when he made the ultimate sacrifice and lost his life in the line of duty.

A 32-year-old Lieutenant with the El Dorado Hills Fire Department at the time, Bertelsen, died from injuries he sustained after being involved in a traffic ollision while on duty.

Each year since Bertelsen’s passing, the El Dorado Hills Fire Department comes together on the anniversary of that tragic day to honor him for his service. Monday, that traditional continued at the Bertelsen Park that was dedicated in the firefighter’s name in 1965 after his passing.

“Every year, on this solemn anniversary, we raise a flag in Pete’s honor,” said the El Dorado Hills Fire Department. “Reaffirming our unwavering commitment to never forget his sacrifice.”

The El Dorado Hills Fire Department was formed in 1963, two years before Bertelsen los his life in the line of duty.The agency was born when the El Dorado Hills County Water District was formed to provide water and sewer services to the community of El Dorado Hills.

The first station, known today as Station 85, was constructed in 1963 with the help of the volunteer firefighters and was utilized as a Fire Department, community building, Community Services District office, and County Water District office. In December of 1965, Bertelson Memorial Park was dedicated in the fallen firefighters honor in December of 1965. The park is located at 831 Redwood Lane in El Dorado Hills.