Flags lowered for passionate NJ firefighter killed answering the call

🚒 A 23-year-old volunteer firefighter has died after crashing while responding to a fire call.

👨‍🚒 Robert "Bobby" Reider served with the Malaga Fire Company since joining as a junior firefighter at age 16.

🔴 Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered flags lowered to half-staff to honor Reider's service and sacrifice.

FRANKLIN (Gloucester) — The entire state is mourning a New Jersey firefighter who died while responding to an emergency call.

Robert "Bobby" Reider died at Cooper Hospital Trauma Center around 4:30 a.m. on July 10, 2026. The Delsea Regional High School graduate was 23 years old and a volunteer firefighter for the Malaga Fire Company Station 43-4.

His death came nearly two weeks after a serious crash on Delsea Drive in Franklin Township, Gloucester County, according to the Malaga Fire Company. On June 27, Reider was responding to a fire call around 10:30 a.m. when his vehicle left the road. He suffered head and internal injuries.

His fellow firefighters from Station 43-4 responded to the crash while another fire company responded to the original call. Reider was extricated from the vehicle and airlifted to Cooper Hospital, where he later died from his injuries.

Robert Bobby Reider firefighter death - (Malaga Fire Company via Facebook)

Volunteer firefighter answered the call from a young age

According to the Malaga Fire Company, Reider joined the station in 2016 as a junior firefighter at just 16 years old.

"Year after year, Bobby had exemplary attendance at calls, drills, and meetings. His heart and passion for community service was one of a kind," the fire company said on Facebook.

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In Reider's obituary, his family said that he loved the Brotherhood at the Malaga Fire Company, where he earned medals for gallantry and valor.

"He loved being a volunteer fireman more than anything. That was all he wanted to do since he was a little boy. For Halloween, most of the time he chose to be a Fireman," the obituary said.

New Jersey honors firefighter's sacrifice

On Friday, Gov. Mikie Sherrill ordered that all U.S. and New Jersey flags fly at half-staff today.

“Robert Reider answered the call to serve his community from a young age, demonstrating remarkable courage, selflessness, and dedication as a volunteer firefighter. His sacrifice is a solemn reminder of the risks our first responders take every day to keep New Jerseyans safe," Sherrill said.

A viewing was held at the Clayton Baptist Church in Clayton on Friday morning, followed by a funeral service. Contributions may be made in Reider's memory to the Malaga Fire Company, 604 W. Main Street, PO Box 434, Malaga, NJ 08328.

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