A 42-year veteran with the Los Angeles City Fire Department, Captain Ray Peterman died following a heart attack which first hospitalized him in July 2003. A winner of the Medal of Valor, Captain Peterman was described as "totally Fire Department" and extremely enthusiastic about the fire department and his chosen career. Sharing his love for the job with his son Doug, he helped him to prepare for a career in the fire service, also with the Los Angeles City Fire Department