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Provo Fire Chief Jeremy Headman pays tribute to fallen Capt. Spencer Long on Tuesday, July 22, 2026, in Provo. (Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald)

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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A tribute for Capt. Spencer Long and is family sits outside Provo City Hall Tuesday, July 22, 2026. (Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald)

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

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As the Provo Fire Department continues to grieve the death Capt. Spencer Long and his family, Chief Jeremy Headman paid tribute to Long during a news conference at Provo City Hall Tuesday.

Headman confirmed that Long, his wife Katrina, and their three sons Reed Vernon, Thayer Long and Gage Long were killed by a flash flood while recreating in Wayne County Friday.

Long, who resided with his family in Mona, served at Provo Fire for 17 years and was a captain for two years.

“Our department is heartbroken, and Spencer was the kind of person that touched everybody,” Headman said. “He was loved by all, starting from people who’ve only been on the job for a couple of years to all of us that have been here for many more.”

Headman said Long had a unique personality — he was fun and made people laugh but took his responsibilities seriously.

And those responsibilities were numerous. Long was a member of the special force team, the Utah Task Force One, the mountain rescue team, the wild land team and one of the engine bosses, according to Headman.

“As a captain, he was talented, but was able to keep the work environment fun,” Headman said.

“He was an amazing firefighter, a great paramedic. He joined almost every team we had available.”

What distinguishes Long the most, however, was the “extraordinary” amount of time he spent with his family, Headman said. Long loved playing outside with his sons, going dirt biking. He frequently drove his boys to Provo to play in a hockey league, and even played with them at times.

“The thing that stands out the most about Captain Long was his love for his family, Headman said.

The chief said they have felt the support from the community amid the tragic loss. A GoFundMe for Long’s daughter, Lydia, has raised more than $280,000. When Lydia returned home Sunday, the streets of Mona were lined with community members there to support her.

“I got there before Lydia, but late enough to drive the streets and it was heart wrenching to go to see the community outreach, and the hockey team on the side of the road, and it was just amazing,” Headman said.

Funeral plans for the Long family remain in the works.

“We feel the love, and we appreciate it,” Headman said. “I know that many are mourning alongside us, and we just appreciate the support as we go through this.”