Dist. 14 firefighters mourn loss of commissioner

Herald staff

EVERETT – Snohomish County Fire District 14 firefighters are grieving over the death Tuesday of fire Commissioner Steve Epperson.

Epperson, 42, died at Providence Everett Medical Center’s Colby Campus.

The cause of death was not released.

He had been affiliated with the fire district for two decades, serving over the years as firefighter, lieutenant, captain, battalion chief and chaplain. A few months ago, he was appointed to the board of commissioners after Gerald Nickels resigned.

"Steve was a vital member of Fire District No. 14 and his community," Lt. Christian Davis said. "There are no words to describe the enormous contribution Steve Epperson made to his community through volunteering his time to the fire department. The lives of every individual affiliated with Fire District No. 14 has been impacted by his presence throughout the years. He will be deeply missed and remembered for years to come."

Epperson was married with children. He worked for Cascade Coffee in Everett.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Health officials: Three confirmed measles cases in SnoCo over holidays

The visitors, all in the same family from South Carolina, went to multiple locations in Everett, Marysville and Mukilteo from Dec. 27-30.

Dog abandoned in Everett dumpster has new home and new name

Binny, now named Maisey, has a social media account where people can follow along with her adventures.

People try to navigate their cars along a flooded road near US 2 on Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025, in Sultan, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Temporary flood assistance center to open in Sultan

Residents affected by December’s historic flooding can access multiple agencies and resources.

Logo for news use featuring the Tulalip Indian Reservation in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Teens accused of brutal attack on Tulalip man Monday

The man’s family says they are in disbelief after two teenagers allegedly assaulted the 63-year-old while he was starting work.

A sign notifying people of the new buffer zone around 41st Street in Everett on Wednesday, Jan. 7. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Everett adds fifth ‘no sit, no lie’ buffer zone at 41st Street

The city implemented the zone in mid-December, soon after the city council extended a law allowing it to create the zones.

A view of the Eastview development looking south along 79th Avenue where mud and water runoff flowed due to rain on Oct. 16, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Eastview Village critics seek appeal to overturn county’s decision

Petitioners, including two former county employees, are concerned the 144-acre project will cause unexamined consequences for unincorporated Snohomish County.

Snohomish County commuters: Get ready for more I-5 construction

Lanes will be reduced along northbound I-5 in Seattle throughout most of 2026 as WSDOT continues work on needed repairs to an aging bridge.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish man held on bail for email threat against Gov. Ferguson, AG Brown

A district court pro tem judge, Kim McClay, set bail at $200,000 Monday after finding “substantial danger” that the suspect would act violently if released.

Kathy Johnson walks through vegetation growing along a CERCLA road in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest on Thursday, July 10, 2025 in Granite Falls, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Activism groups to host forest defense meeting in Bothell

The League of Women Voters of Snohomish County and the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance will discuss efforts to protect public lands in Washington.

Debris shows the highest level the Snohomish River has reached on a flood level marker located along the base of the Todo Mexico building on First Street on Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
SnoCo offers programs to assist in flood mitigation and recovery

Property owners in Snohomish County living in places affected by… Continue reading

Traffic moves southbound on Highway 99 underneath Highway 525 on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
WSDOT proposes big changes to Hwy 99 in Snohomish County, Lynnwood

A detailed draft plan outlines over $600 million worth of safety upgrades that could add sidewalks, bike lanes and bus lanes along the busy road.

Tesla’s factory in Fremont, Calif., in 2020. There have been multiple court case across the country involving Tesla’s Autopilot system. (Jim Wilson / The New York Times)
Stanwood family sues Tesla over deadly Autopilot crash

The wrongful death lawsuit accuses Tesla of advertising the feature in a way that overstates its capabilities.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.