On January 4, Hillcrest Fire Company No. 1 announced the deaths of two previous chiefs who had spent many years serving the department and the community. Robert Murdock Sr., a life member and former chief, died on December 26 after a protracted illness. At the time of his death, he lived in Florida. Murdock was a long-time department employee and the father of former Chief Robert Murdock Jr., who also worked at Hillcrest. The evening before the announcement, John Meyer, the former Chief, Trustee, and 69-year Life Member, died. Meyer was the department's oldest living former chief, and his job as a trustee allowed him to stay involved.