James C. Saunders was a Navy veteran and a firefighter for Sloughhouse Fire, American River Fire and Sacramento Metro Fire Station 101 and 103. He was on the Board of Directors for American Legion Post 108 Ambulance Service and was assistant chief for Jackson Volunteer Fire Department. He had a heart attack while fighting a grass fire and died on October 7, 2010. He was 52. His last selfless act was to donate his organs.