WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - If not me, then who?

That is the life quote of West Sacramento's Fallen Fire Engineer Lt. Timothy Hall, printed at the end of his obituary.

Hall collapsed during a training exercise on Sept. 23, later dying. Hall's life quote and memorial service, with helicopters flying overhead, depict his dying dedication to be the finest firefighter possible. The service on Oct. 8 brought local and regional firefighters together to honor Hall, who died at 59.

Sacramento Fire Department Captain and public information officer Justin Sylvia said that “many line of duty deaths take place during training, unfortunately.”

“This one was unique though,” Captain Sylvia said. “Tim was surrounded by some of the best EMT's around who immediately started CPR and life-saving efforts.”

The fire captain said it’s not often that high-quality CPR begins the second someone collapses.

“Also, training exercises should be as realistic as possible,” Sylvia said. “Your training is what you default to when an incident goes south. You train like your life depends on it because it does.”

Hall’s decree rang the loudest in his final hours of life.

“His quote for life was ‘If not me, then who?’ and he lived that to the end,” the obituary reads of the 18-year member of the West Sacramento Fire Department and 41-year lieutenant and training officer with Clarksburg Fire Protection District.

“Tim's passing has united various agencies throughout not only the region but the state of California as well,” Sylvia said. “Many departments came together to not only cover West Sacramento the day of Tim's passing but on the day of the memorial as well.”

The California Fire Foundation dedicated a webpage to Hall’s life celebration details.

“Engineer Tim Hall leaves behind a lasting legacy of courage, commitment, and care in the communities he served,” the foundation wrote. “The only things he loved more than his profession were his wife, children and parents.”

Son to Rochelle and Bruce Hall, a three-decade-long California Highway Patrol officer, Hall followed in his father's footsteps of public service, meeting the love of his wife, Susan, along the way.

“Their beautiful journey began when they met at a Boy Scout event in Clarksburg at an early age,” the obituary reads of the couple who parented four children and three grandchildren.

As a local, Syliva said, the death of a neighbor brings intimacy.

“As a resident of West Sacramento myself, it was amazing to see the community come together to honor the life and legacy of Tim Hall. From a local school raising money for his family to all of the people lining the streets during the procession, a true sense of community was felt in this city,” Sylvia said.

Hall also leaves behind children who love animals. Hall's volunteerism with the Clarksburg branch of the Yolo County 4-H proved his volunteerism went far beyond fire station walls. 

“Timothy's endearing smile and deep, infectious laugh warmed the hearts of many,” his obituary reads. “His love for Clarksburg and West Sacramento shone through in every selfless act as he bravely served the community.”

Hall's procession ran south of Jefferson Boulevard from West Sacramento Fire Department Station 45 on Lake Washington Boulevard south to Clarksburg, crossing the river and ending at Elk's Grove.

The sea of blue service at Crossroads Christian Church included posting colors, a eulogy by West Sacramento Fire Department Chief Andy Bevins, a tribute video, medallion, and flag presentations, and a last alarm before playing “Amazing Grace” and closing in prayer.

“There were multiple agencies that worked on the planning piece of the service as well,” Sylvia said. “Countless hours were spent with local agencies planning this service so that West Sacramento could mourn the loss of Tim and not worry about planning a funeral.”

Now that the planning, service and memorial is over, nothing could be more true than the last line of Hall’s mortuary tribute. 

“Timothy's impact on the world will never be forgotten, and his spirit will continue to inspire us all,” the obituary reads.