Tuesday marks one year since Tobben’s death
Ryan Shiner
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
Tuesday marked one year since Boone County Fire Protection District Assistant Fire Chief Matthew Tobben died while saving two people.
On July 8, 2024, a rescue boat lost power and capsized near Bear Creek. The boat carried Tobben, Columbia firefighter Derek Abbott and two people they rescued. All four people were thrown into the water, but Tobben never resurfaced. An autopsy report showed Tobben drowned.
The 42-year-old served with Missouri Task Force 1 for 12 years and was previously with the fire department in Union, Missouri, for 19 years before coming to Boone County in May 2024.