In memoriam: Marion County Fire Rescue (Florida) paramedic Clifton "Cliff" Murphy died after suffering cardiac arrest at his home. He was hospitalized on August 27, 2026, and his family made the decision to end life-support measures on September 1, choosing to donate his organs so that Murphy could continue helping others after his death.
Marion County Fire Rescue (MCFR) in Ocala, Florida, is mourning the loss of paramedic Clifton "Cliff" Murphy, who died following a cardiac arrest at his home. The department shared the news in a Facebook post, and an Honor Walk was held at AdventHealth Ocala as family, friends, colleagues and fellow first responders lined the halls to honor his service one final time.
What Happened
According to MCFR, Murphy suffered cardiac arrest at home and was hospitalized on August 27. He received extensive medical treatment in the days that followed, but his condition did not improve. On September 1, his family made the difficult decision to withdraw life support. In their grief, they chose to honor Murphy's legacy of service by donating his organs, giving others the chance at life even in his final act.
| Name | Clifton "Cliff" Murphy |
| Department | Marion County Fire Rescue, Florida |
| Role | Paramedic |
| Cause | Cardiac arrest at home (Aug. 27, 2026) |
| Date of death | September 1, 2026 |
| Legacy | Organ donor; honored with an Honor Walk at AdventHealth Ocala |
A Final Act of Service
An Honor Walk is a solemn tradition observed at hospitals across the country when a first responder or veteran becomes an organ donor. Staff, colleagues and family line the corridors as the patient is taken to surgery, offering a final salute before their organs are recovered to save other lives. At AdventHealth Ocala, Murphy's colleagues from Marion County Fire Rescue joined his family and friends for that tribute, honoring a paramedic who spent his career responding to help others in their worst moments.
This is the second loss for Marion County Fire Rescue within recent months; the department also mourned firefighter/EMT Evan Lewis earlier this year following a fatal off-duty crash, who was likewise honored as an organ donor. Fire Chief James Banta has spoken previously about the department's tight-knit culture, and MCFR's community has again rallied around one of its own in grief.
Our condolences: AllFirefighter.com extends its deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of Clifton "Cliff" Murphy, and to the entire Marion County Fire Rescue family during this difficult time.
About Marion County Fire Rescue
Marion County Fire Rescue provides fire and emergency medical services across Marion County, Florida, including the Ocala area, responding to fire, medical and rescue calls throughout the county. Paramedics like Murphy serve as the backbone of the department's emergency medical response, often working alongside firefighters on the same calls and apparatus.
Rest in peace, Cliff Murphy. His service to Marion County, and his final gift to others through organ donation, will not be forgotten.
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