The Palm Coast Fire Department is mourning the loss of Zachary Shane Mahaney, a 43-year-old former firefighter who spent a year with the department until last June. He died by a self-inflicted gunshot on Sept. 25 or 26 in Ormond Beach after going missing from his parents’ home on Sept. 25.
Mahaney, the father of two children, had a 12-year career with Sumter County Fire Rescue before taking the job as a firefighter-paramedic in Palm Coast.
“We are heartbroken to learn of Zach’s passing,” Lt. Patrick Juliano of the Palm Coast Fire Department wrote in a statement. “Zach’s smile and personality could light up a room. He was an admired husband, loving father, friend and brother to all those who he met.”
A resident of Seminole Woods, Mahaney had been staying at Bermuda Estates Apartments in Ormond Beach with his parents Rhonda and Robert Mahaney. His 70-year-old mother had reported him missing to Ormond Beach police the morning of September 26. She told police that he had recently lost his job and was separated from his wife, who lives in Palm Coast. Rhonda Mahaney told police Zach had been with her and his father for the past few weeks, and had been depressed. He had left home the previous evening at about 5 p.m. to buy cigarettes. He never returned.
According to the missing-person report, Rhonda Mahaney told police that “he has threatened suicide a few times in the last three months, but she never called as he always came home.” He owned several guns, she said, “and if they were not in his room, they would be with him in his truck.”
Mahaney was part of a class of eight new hires a the Palm Coast Fire Department in 2023 (he was hired that July). He did not make it past the probationary period every firefighter goes through, losing the job last June. As he saw it–as his mother described it to Ormond Beach police–he’d been “fired.”
Police officers reported Mahaney to a national database as missing and “endangered.” In early afternoon that day, Ormond Beach police responded to two residents’ 911 call about a gray Toyota truck they’d passed by that morning at the side of the road as they were riding their ATV in the 2300 block of Old Tomoka Road. It was still there when they left, they told police, with someone inside. Police investigated and found Mahaney. The medical examiner claimed the body for an autopsy. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office was instructed to notify Mahaney’s wife in Palm Coast, though by the time deputies did so, she had learned of her husband’s death from a friend.
“Another brother firefighter lost to the mental health crisis,” James Geering, the former firefighter and podcaster of “Behind the Shield” posted on Wednesday. “This is yet another example of how we need to make drastic and courageous change in our profession. The way we’re doing it simply isn’t working.”
According to the statement issued by Juliano, Mahaney, who was known as Zach, was born in Echo Ridge, New Mexico. He graduated from Lake Brantley High School in Altamonte Springs in 1998, and moved to Flagler County in 2004. He graduated from Daytona State College with his Firefighter Certification in 2009, EMT Certification in 2010 and Paramedic Certification in 2020.
Mahaney also had an associate degree in Emergency Medicine from Daytona State College and a bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management from Waldorf University. He rose to Lieutenant in Sumter County. He had instructor certifications in USAR and HAZMAT, and Live Fire Training. The Palm Coast Fire Department hired him on June 26, 2023. He lost the job last June 14. Of his two children, his 14-year-old son was from a previous marriage that ended in 2011.
Lindy Wesemann says
Zach you’ll be forever missed and loved by many. I wish this wasn’t real and that we could rewind the time. I’m giving you big hugs from Wyatt, Bo and I. Keep playing and singing in Heaven! Love always and RIP
Bill Boots says
“He was an admired husband, loving father, friend and brother”?
This loss is very sad in many ways!
Why are men no longer able to shoulder failure, respect or responsibility within the family, workplace or society?
With his education, 14 years on the job experience at Sumter County Fire Rescue, and couldn’t be hired at PCFD at end of probationary period?
We must again raise stronger men?
Sad Sad Sad
Alan says
“Raise stronger men”? It’s attitudes like yours that keep people from opening up about their mental illness. Do you or your family or friends have mental health issues? Do you just tell them to suck it up? You’re sad sad sad…
Fitzgerald says
I beg to differ, it’s not we need to raise stronger men but actually support those who need it. He was one of the toughest men anyone would’ve ever known.
I know it doesn’t matter much to you and your opinion is going to be your opinion but I just felt his memory needed this responded to.
Rhonda mahaney says
Some of the so callled quotes never came out of my mouth. . You just had to embellish it a make it extra interesting! SHAME ON YOU! At least The Observer wrote a true, classy story!!! What kind of newspaper blog are you anyway!! I hope you know how much
More you have hurt his family! I wonder if you care…..what kind of person are you!? Rhonda Mahaney
Elizabeth says
Someone lost their lives don’t comment rude things and talk about people you know nothing about. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Judy Delarosby says
My heart breaks for Zach’s family and friends. Zach, thank you for your service. rest peacefully.
Billy Bunnell says
Did he qualify for a pension or other benefits?
Bill Boots says
I did not attack this man, i stated his loss is very sad in many ways as he is described to be a good man with a question mark ‘?’
Each of my entries ended in question marks ‘?’ But you male/female ‘Karens’, offered no answers?
I questioned why a man with his credentials and 14 years field experience was not put on staff permanently? Was he a victim of nepotism?
All this generated was hot air and a personal attack on me, no suggestions how we can help someone in need of support and respect?
Alan, yes i’ve known family and friends with issues, i personally have been in/out counselling lifelong, you?
KthMiller says
Bill, you were trying to sort out why a man with such a distinguished career and extensive education could not pass probation.
There may have been some underlying issues the Palm Coast department was not able to reveal; and coupled with the shame and embarassment of not passing probation along with the loss of another marriage proved to be too much.
You are right about the counseling part. I wish Zachary had sought help.
Bill Boots says
Thank you, KthMiller,
I have benefitted from counselling both thru my church, private and community sources after thoughts of suicide at much younger age than Zach, even after years of counselling the thoughts returned unfortunately, every time I would return to counselling, it helped each time, often it helps if family and friends attend jointly, I am now 76 and doing well, my original post was to stimulate thought, not hate. In the 7th grade a classmate took his life, 10 yrs ago a son in law took his life leaving his wife and a 5 yr old.
I know the pain………