Brendan Jonathan Bessee was born on March 16, 1998, in Globe, Arizona. When he was just five years old, he began his career in hockey. When Brendan was 15, he was recruited to play Junior A hockey in Wenatchee, Washington, where he moved in with a host family to attend high school and play his favorite sport. He continued playing Junior A hockey over the next three years in Montana and Oklahoma, and then finished his hockey career at Grand Canyon University, where he received a scholarship to play. He made friends from all over the world and continued those relationships throughout his life.

Brendan enjoyed serving his community and volunteering, including at his local fire department. If anyone ever asked for his help, he never refused.

Brendan followed in his father’s footsteps and became a firefighter for Sierra Vista Fire Department in 2020. He transferred to the Salt River Fire Department in January 2022. On April 7, he fought a large defensive fire and was positioned on the top of the aerial ladder using the master stream to extinguish the blaze. He was very excited to have that opportunity to help. On Friday, April 8, while on duty and responding to a 911 call, Brendan lost his life in an accident.

Brendan leaves behind his loving family, including his best friend and sister, Danielle, his adoring parents, Robert and Judy, along with his grandmothers, aunts, uncles, and cousins. The entire family enjoyed our annual vacations together where Brendan always brought a smile to everyone’s face.

Firefighter Brendan Bessee gave the ultimate sacrifice for his community. He was a great firefighter, a hard worker, strong, a friend, but most importantly he was a good man. His family believes firefighters never die, but live on forever in the hearts of the people they served, touched, and cared for.