Wallis proposes to honor fallen Cal Fire firefighters
On Feb. 24, local Assemblyman Greg Wallis introduced Assembly Concurrent Resolution 37 to honor three Cal Fire firefighters, Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Cal Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez and helicopter pilot Tony Sousa, who all died in a 2023 helicopter crash. Bischof was an Idyllwild native.
Joining Wallis in developing and introducing ACR 37 were three of his colleagues, Assemblymembers James Gallagher, Dr. Corey Jackson and Bill Essayli who represent the districts in which each of these men resided.
Photo courtesy of Cal Fire
This resolution designates the portion of State Route 10 from the Malki Road undercrossing to the East Cabazon Ramp overcrossing in the County of Riverside as the Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Pilot Tony Sousa Memorial Highway. It has been referred to the Assembly’s Transportation Committee.
The crash occurred while two helicopter crews were fighting the Broadway Wildland Fire near Cabazon on Aug. 2023. The Sikorsky S-64E helicopter was able to land safely, but the Bell 407 crashed, tragically taking the lives of three firefighters.
“Every day firefighters put their lives on the line to keep us safe and face obstacles many of us would find insurmountable. Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Pilot Tony Sousa spent their careers serving all Californians, and with this honor, we will always remember them” said Wallis in the press release announcing the introduction of ACR 37.
Bischof was 46 and began his firefighting career as a volunteer firefighter at Station 78. In 1998, he joined the San Bernardino National Forest Service Vista Grande Hotshots and a year later he began his Cal Fire career.
In 2011, after becoming a fire captain, he transferred to Hemet-Ryan Air Attack Base in 2013 as a helitack captain on Helicopter 301. Three years later, Bischof was promoted to battalion chief for a city and then returned as battalion chief of the base in 2020.
In 2023, he was promoted to assistant chief of Tactical Air Operations located at Cal Fire’s Southern Region Headquarters. He also served as a member of Cal Fire’s Incident Management Team 4 as an operations section chief.
Bischof was a Menifee resident, and his Assemblyman Bill Essayli shared this about him. “Assistant Chief Josh Bischof was successful at everything he put his mind to. His love for firefighting, aviation and adventure showed in his life serving others. Overseeing multiple area of training within Cal Fire, Chief Bischof’s willingness to help others and legacy of service represents the best of the 63rd Assembly District.”
Capt. Rodriguez was 44 and pilot Tony Sousa was 55 when they died.
