CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. — Charlotte County Fire & EMS is mourning the loss of Firefighter/Paramedic Jan A. “Jay” Sanders Jr., who died in the line of duty after a lengthy battle with occupational cancer.
Sanders passed away on June 18, 2026, according to Charlotte County Fire & EMS.
A veteran first responder, Sanders dedicated more than 35 years of service to protecting the residents and visitors of Charlotte County. Throughout his career, he served as a firefighter, paramedic, mentor and member of the department’s Honor Guard.
Department officials described Sanders as a beloved colleague whose influence extended far beyond emergency calls and station walls.
“Jay will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, infectious laugh, unmistakable voice, and the countless lives he touched throughout his career,” Charlotte County Fire & EMS said in a statement.
Friends and coworkers remembered Sanders as a dedicated public servant who helped train and guide generations of firefighters and paramedics during his decades of service.
The department announced that Sanders’ death has been recognized as a line-of-duty death due to occupational cancer, a risk many firefighters face after years of exposure to hazardous conditions encountered while protecting their communities.
Charlotte County Fire & EMS said it will honor Sanders with a traditional Last Alarm ceremony in the coming days.
“While the radio may sound one final time, his legacy will continue to live on through the generations of firefighters and paramedics he helped shape,” the department said.
Funeral and memorial service details are expected to be announced at a later date.