The Murdo community is mourning the tragic loss of Nick Van Dam, a devoted volunteer firefighter who died while responding to a grass fire on Saturday evening, July 26. Van Dam, 37, was en route to the fire when the 1989 Ford Fire Tender he was driving veered off the roadway approximately four miles north of Draper, rolled over, and ejected him from the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to the South Dakota Department of Public Safety.
Van Dam had dedicated eight years to the Murdo Volunteer Fire Department, serving as captain for the last six. The South Dakota Highway Patrol is currently investigating the crash, and all details released so far remain preliminary.
Nick Van Dam was known far beyond the firehouse. He was a respected parts and service manager at Murdo Car Sales, a passionate outdoorsman, and an enthusiastic supporter of local youth sports. He found joy in golf, family camping trips, and especially in cheering on his four children at their school activities and sports events. Friends and colleagues describe him as a man of integrity, generosity, and deep devotion to his wife and children, who now carry forward his memory and legacy of service.
Funeral services for Van Dam will be held on Friday, August 1, 2025, at 1 p.m. at the Harold Thune Auditorium in Murdo. The service is expected to draw fire departments and mourners from across the state, paying tribute to a life lost in service to others.
Nick Van Dam’s passing is a somber reminder of the risks first responders face daily and the selflessness that defines their commitment to protecting others.
