Vigil held to remember firefighter Daryl Ritz

A vigil was held Friday night to remember a recently retired Colorado Springs firefighter, who was found murdered last Monday night.

Daryl Ritz was reported missing around 10pm, a few hours before his body was found at a home near Falcon owned by Ritz’s father before he passed away.

“Disbelief,” is how Terry Murphy describes the mood in the fire department this week.

“He was the man that would do anything for anybody he give you the shirt off his back,” he said.

Ritz was dedicated to both his job and the community, showing particular interest in a local hot rod fundraiser that raised money to help children with burn injuries.

“He was a grumpy old driver, but everybody loved him. I mean he couldn’t do enough for anybody he raised money for kids with burn injuries, he raised money and collected toys for kids at Christmas time,” recalled Murphy.

Many of Ritz’s former coworkers also said they need to know how he died.

“He did not deserve this,” said Paula Rayer, “All of us have questions and we need answers to why this senseless event even occurred.”

The vigil though was a chance to pray, to remember him, and to share stories about how great or difficult he was to work with.

He was described jokingly by many as “salty”, but with a big heart when it came to serious matters.

The comments were especially comforting to Daryl’s brother, a police officer, and his immediately family who was also at the vigil.

His daughter thanked everyone for their support during the difficult time.

El Paso County deputies told KRDO Newschannel 13 on Friday evening they are aggressively following several leads in the case, but they have yet to release any details on who might have killed Ritz or why.

Ritz spent 33 years with the CSFD before retiring about three years ago.

He leaves behind a wife and two daughters.