W. “Chris” Mertz was a dedicated firefighter who served with pride and honor for Rancho Santa Fe Protection District for over thirty years. Chris was a member of San Diego’s USAR Team Task Force 8 for over 20 years and was deployed to the 9/11 attacks in New York in 2001 as well as Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana in 2005. He loved nothing more than spending time with his family hiking, camping, boating, and shooting. Chris passed away on January 20, 2021, from complications of COVID-19. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and his son.