Grants Pass, Oregon. January 7, 2012. First responders mourned a brother Saturday who was looking ahead to a promising career, while former schoolmates considered the prospects of a life suddenly taken. About 800 emergency services professionals, family, friends and community members bid farewell to 23-year-old Rural/Metro Fire Department engineer Tyler Wurzell at Parkway Christian Center in Grants Pass. Wurzell died in an auto accident Dec. 29. Associates and loved ones marveled at Wurzell's demeanor, skill and leadership as he excelled in life-and-death situations. "He had a certain shine about him," said Erick Sturges, a Josephine County deputy who knew Wurzell since his middle-school years. "Anything he set out to do, he would complete it. He was getting his fire-science degree at Rogue Community College when I was getting my criminal-justice degree. He made sure his homework was perfect; he wouldn't settle for anything but excellence." Shortly after graduating from Grants Pass High School, Wurzell became a part-time firefighter at the age of 18 and was named Station 2 rookie of the year in 2007. During his down time, he performed shifts with American Medical Response service. By the age of 22, Wurzell was supervisor at Rural/Metro's Merlin station and became the agency's youngest-ever engineer. He was twice named employee of the month and received four outstanding performance citations. "The greatest impact on his co-workers was his electric personality," said Mark <b>...</b>
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