UPDATE: It is with profound sadness that we share an update regarding Firefighter III Connor J. Lees.

On March 28, 2025, the Long Beach Police Department recovered the body of Firefighter Connor J. Lees from the waters off Long Beach. 

The LAFD stands united in grief alongside Firefighter Lees’ family, friends, and colleagues. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved him.

We would also like to express our profound gratitude to the Long Beach Police Department and the Long Beach Fire Department for their unwavering dedication and support throughout the search and recovery efforts. Their professionalism, determination, and compassion have brought solace to our department and to Firefighter Lees' loved ones during this difficult time.

On Wednesday, December 4, 2024, the City of Long Beach's public safety agencies responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a missing diver in the Port of Long Beach. The Long Beach Fire Department commenced an immediate systematic search, including the use of divers, and was soon joined by Long Beach Police Department responders.

In accordance with established mutual aid plans, those agencies were joined Wednesday night by the Los Angeles City Fire Department, U.S. Coast Guard, Los Angeles County Fire Department Lifeguard Division, Los Angeles Port Police, and Long Beach Police Department under a Unified Command, to continue a well-coordinated and highly technical effort to find the missing man. The Diver, identified as Connor Lees, age 29, an off-duty Los Angeles City Fire Department firefighter, had been recreationally diving with friends. Firefighter Lees was not involved in fire department duties at the time of his disappearance.

Firefighter III Connor J. Lees has faithfully served the City of Los Angeles as a six-year veteran of the Los Angeles City Fire Department, assigned to Fire Station 94 in the Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw community.

At approximately 4:00 PM Friday, after all reasonable search efforts had been exhausted, the recovery operation was ended, with Firefighter Lees presumed lost at sea. Anyone with information can contact the Long Beach Police Department Missing Persons Detail at (562) 570-7246.
 

A photograph of Firefighter Lees is pending