Firefighter battling terminal cancer gets a hero’s welcome home

The sidewalk along Santa Cruz Avenue in Merced was lined up with dozens of people on Tuesday afternoon welcoming home a firefighter and “true hero” who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Clayton Ogden, a firefighter with the Santa Cruz Fire Department of more than 15 years, was escorted to his home from Doctors Medical Center in Modesto by fire and law enforcement agencies.

More than 100 family members, close friends, colleagues and neighbors cheered, waved banners and American flags as Ogden arrived to his Merced home of 23 years. Ogden, 47, and his family declined an interview and photographs.

“This parade is a parade in honor and tribute for him and his service to citizens in California and and local friends,” said Mike Bonifay, Ogden’s brother-in-law and close friend. “He’s kind, generous and the most self-sacrificing person I’ve ever met.”

Ogden’s cancer diagnosis came without warning after an injury during a fire drill about seven weeks ago, Bonifay said. When Ogden went to a hospital visit related to his work injury, Bonifay said, doctors discovered cancer had developed in Ogden’s brain, spinal cord, lungs, stomach, colon and bones.

“Everyone was shocked and heartbroken,” Bonifay said.

Signs made by community members described Ogden as a “true hero,” “my favorite firefighter” and ”our champ.”

When Ogden arrived in Merced from the hospital, he said this experience was one of the most humbling in his life, Bonifay said.

Officials from the Santa Cruz Fire Department, Santa Cruz Police Department, Merced County Fire Department, Riggs Ambulance and Merced County Sheriff’s Office followed Ogden home.

“All he ever wanted to do since he was out of high school is help people,” Bonifay said. Ogden began doing that by volunteering in his hometown at the Dos Palos fire department.

Ogden has worked as a paramedic for Riggs Ambulance, a firefighter for the Merced County Fire Department, for California Highway Patrol and was in the Emergency Services Unit for the SWAT Team.

In 2014, the Surf City Exchange Club of Santa Cruz honored Ogden during a ceremony, the Santa Cruz Sentinel reported. Bonifay said he was honored for his bravery during a shootout in Santa Cruz.

In February 2013, Ogden shielded a woman from gunshots just minutes after two Santa Cruz Police Department detectives were gunned down by a 35-year-old man who was being investigated for sexual assault, according to the Santa Cruz Sentinel.

“I laid on top of her and told her to keep calm and stay down, don't move,” Ogden told the Sentinel. "”t happened so fast. I'm still kinda stunned by it. It was the worst day I've ever had in 20 years.”

Ogden was named firefighter of the year for risking his life, Bonifay said.

“He was born to be a firefighter,” said Ogden’s life-long best friend, Peter LeCompte. “He was born to help people. He’s always been the person to step in and jump in front of bullets.”

Growing up around the corner from each other in Dos Palos and being born only days apart, LeCompte and Ogden have been best friends their whole lives, he said.

“I admire his integrity,” LeCompte said. “And his thoughtless ability to be that person. It’s just who he is.”

Jeff Cole, captain for the Merced City Fire Department, said he and Ogden worked for Riggs together in the 1990s, Cold described Ogden as “a very jovial guy.” He was involved in his local church, Cole said, and had strong roots and family in Merced.

“He’s an outstanding individual all the way around,” he said. “He loves to help people.”

A Gofundme page has been made to help the Ogden family with treatments, www.gofundme.com/firefighter-clayton-ogden-fund.

This story was originally published July 19, 2017 at 4:41 PM with the headline "Firefighter battling terminal cancer gets a hero’s welcome home."