Ryan Valencia

With deep sorrow, the Ventura County Fire Department announces the line of duty death of Engineer Thomas “Tommy” James Daniel Minadeo at the age of 32. Engineer Minadeo dedicated his life to serving and protecting the community with unwavering commitment, professionalism, and heart. His bravery, dedication, and kindness left an indelible mark on those he worked alongside and the countless lives he touched. Minadeo joined the Ventura County Fire Department as a fire control worker in 2015. In 2017, he was hired as a firefighter, graduating from Academy 54. He was assigned to Truck 54 in Camarillo, Station 26 in Santa Paula, Station 31 in Thousand Oaks, Station 51 in El Rio, Station 55 in Camarillo and Station 53 in Port Hueneme. Tommy promoted to engineer in 2022 and served his final assignment at Station 45 in Simi Valley. Minadeo was diagnosed with job-related cancer last October and had been undergoing treatment. “Tommy was part of our fire family for nearly 10 years, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us in response to our community’s public safety needs,” Fire Chief Dustin Gardner said. “We now stand with Tommy’s family in grieving his passing and supporting each other.”