Officials said Saturday that Cal Fire Capt. Stacy Hamilton from the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit was killed in an early morning vehicle accident in Merced County.

“On behalf of all Californians, Jennifer and I extend our condolences to Captain Stacy Hamilton’s family, friends and colleagues in this difficult time. It’s the work of brave firefighters like Stacy that keeps our communities safe and we are deeply grateful for his service,” said Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Hamilton began his career with Cal Fire in the Tuolumne-Calaveras Unit in 2006, after previously working for the United States Forest Service.

Hamilton was assigned to the Sierra Training Center, Forestry Training Program, where he trained inmates for more than four years. He then transferred to Columbia Helitack in 2010.

In 2013, Captain Hamilton moved into the fixed wing side and was assigned to Columbia Air Attack Base as an Air Tactical Group Supervisor on AA440, where he was currently assigned.

Cal Fire said Capt. Hamilton was a competent, skilled and professional Air Tactical Group supervisor.

Capt. Hamilton, a resident of Shaver Lake, is survived by his wife, Katie, and two teenage sons, Ian and Logan.

“Please keep Capt. Stacy Hamilton, his family and his colleagues in your thoughts,” Cal Fire said in a Saturday statement.

In honor of Capt. Hamilton, State Capitol flags will be flown at half-staff, Newsom’s office said.