It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Fire Fighter/Paramedic Eric C. Botkin of IAFF Local 1067 - Riverside, California. Brother Botkin, 41, passed away on Sunday, December 27, 2009 from brain cancer.
A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 4268 Lime Street, Riverside, California 92501, (951) 686-4004.
Agencies wishing to participate with fire apparatus may contact Division Chief John Martinez at 951-320-8185 or via email at jmartinez@riversideca.gov. We ask that agencies send only engines due to parking limitations. Additional information regarding the procession can be found at www.riversideca.gov/fire.
There will be an engine only procession from the church to the reception, which will be held at the Grove Community Church, located at 19900 Grove Community, Riverside, California, 92508. All are invited to the reception.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations be made to the Eric Botkin Memorial Fund. This benevolent fund will provide assistance to fire department families experiencing hardships due to serious line of duty injuries or illnesses of City of Riverside Fire members. Donations may be sent to The Eric Botkin Memorial Fund, c/o Riverside City Firefighters Association, P.O. Box 7817, Riverside, CA 92513-7817. Checks may be made out to RCFA, with a note in the memo section of “Eric Botkin Memorial Fund.”
Other expressions of sympathy or condolences can be sent to Local 1067 at P.O. Box 7817, Riverside, CA 92513-7817 or email rfdstrack@aol.com.
Brother Botkin served the City of Riverside Fire Department for nearly 20 years as a firefighter paramedic before his condition forced him to retire on disability in 2007. Throughout his career, Botkin also served as a fire investigator and obtained his Engine Certification. Brother Botkin's last assignment was Fire Station 13 on Canyon Springs Boulevard.
