BIG PINE KEY, Fla. — The Monroe County sheriff and Key West police chief are rallying support for a police officer couple who narrowly escaped a house fire that destroyed their home and left both hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation.
Monroe County Sheriff Rick Ramsay said Thursday’s early morning blaze forced the couple to jump from a window as their Big Pine Key home became engulfed in flames, leaving them with nothing.
“You wake up in the middle of the morning, your house is fully engulfed. (They) dove out the window having to leave everything they owned. Their animals perished in the fire,” Ramsay said. “This is a sad situation for sure.”
The couple — MCSO Deputy Tiffany Rodda and her fiancé, Key West Police Department Officer Mike Pettee, a member of the department’s motor unit — were injured in the fire.
Ramsay said he wrapped Rodda in a blanket and gave her a shirt and slacks from his car as she was being loaded onto the Trauma Star helicopter — a gesture he said underscored how the couple “quite literally have nothing” left after the fire.
KWPD Chief Sean Brandenburg described Pettee as a dedicated officer who routinely goes beyond expectations.
“Officer Pettee goes above and beyond any time you call on him, anytime you need help,” Brandenburg said. “There is not going to be anything usable inside that residence and the residence itself is probably going to be completely torn down and rebuilt.”
Ramsay said he met the couple at the loading zone of MCSO’s Trauma Star helicopter as they were being airlifted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami for treatment.
“I saw them both. I gave her a big hug and told her that is one of the most difficult times of your life but we are here for you,” Ramsay said. “You are going to get through this.”
Brandenburg said both officers are expected to face a long recovery.
Ramsay added that the couple, who have five children from prior relationships, lost all personal belongings in the fire, including family mementos, photos, awards and children’s drawings.
“Both are really hard-working officers, dedicated their life to protect others, and in a moment everything you have is gone,” he said. “They have got a long road to recovery, so we are just trying to come together as a law enforcement community as a community overall.”
Officials said no children were home at the time of the fire.
Ramsay also thanked the Trauma Star crew and local responders for the emergency transport.
Community members and fellow officers have begun organizing fundraising efforts to assist with medical costs, temporary housing, food and other basic needs during recovery.
“They have spent their lives supporting everyone else,” a fundraiser organized by colleagues said. “Every donation will go directly toward helping Mike, Tiffany, and their children recover, heal, and begin again.”
KWPD Officer Jesse Young, Pettee’s riding partner and vice president of the agency’s Love Fund, said the situation is especially difficult because it involves one of their own.
“We deal with emergencies on a daily basis. It really kind of hits home when it is one of your own, one of your close friends,” Young said.
The Love Fund assists department members facing personal crisis situations, operating on the idea that “even heroes need help.”
Young said the goal is to provide support with no expectation of repayment so officers can focus on recovery.
“As a gift and not have any obligation to repay, with the intent that the officer does not have to worry about financial constraints so they can get healthy, get well, and be able to come back to serve our community,” he said.
Donations are now being accepted to assist Pettee and Rodda as they recover from the fire and rebuild their lives.
Checks can be mailed to the 100 Club, located at 455-122 St. Ocean, Marathon, Fla. 33050. Venmo: @LoveKWPD.
Officials say all proceeds go directly to the couple and are fully tax deductible.
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