Family of 'Fallen Hero' Fire Captain Receives Vehicle from Mercury Insurance

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (June 9, 2014) – Mercury Insurance and Car West Auto Body donated a refurbished 2013 Hyundai Sonata to the family of firefighter Mark Ratledge during a June 6 ceremony in Pleasanton, Calif. Capt. Ratledge, who was killed on duty while assisting the California Highway Patrol, is survived by his fiancée, Jennifer Hobbs, and three children, who were selected by Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes charity to receive the Sonata.

“I’m forever grateful for the generosity Mercury Insurance and Car West Auto Body have shown to my family,” said Hobbs. “Being selected by The Fallen Heroes to receive a 2013 Hyundai Sonata is a blessing, as it allows me to provide reliable transportation for my daughter, who is struggling to get around in college.”

More than 200 people attended the ceremony at the Callippe Preserve Golf Course. Representatives from Mercury, Car West Auto Body and The Fallen Heroes were present to hand over the keys to Ms. Hobbs, who has faced financial difficulties since Capt. Ratledge’s death in 2012.

“Firefighters like Capt. Ratledge put their lives on the line every day to protect us and our communities,” said Darlyne Brewer, Mercury’s director of agency communications and sales development. “The donation to Hobbs and her family is our way of paying tribute to Capt. Ratledge for his heroic services.”

Police and Fire: The Fallen Heroes charity organization supports the families of California peace officers and fire service personnel who were killed in the line of duty.

Video footage is available for download at http://bit.ly/MIAutoDonation.

ABOUT MERCURY INSURANCE (www.mercuryinsurance.com)

Mercury Insurance (MCY) is a multiple-line insurance organization predominantly offering personal automobile and homeowners insurance through a network of independent agents in Florida, Georgia, California, New Jersey, Arizona, New York, Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, Virginia and Pennsylvania.  Since 1962, Mercury has specialized in offering quality insurance at affordable prices – core values that distinguish Mercury in the marketplace.