Cause of Death: Cardiac Arrest
End of Watch: September 11, 1988
Date of Incident: December 14, 1977
Age: 45
Rank: Lieutenant
Status: Career
Badge Number:
Tour of Duty: 18 years
Assignment: Engine Company #28
Final Alarm: House fire, unknown
Nature of Death: Smoke inhalation causing cardiac arrest.

Lieutenant Jim Boullosa was in charge of Engine Company #28 when he responded to a fire in a residence. Lt. Boullosa was overcome by smoke while fighting the fire and transported from the fire ground to the Baptist Memorial Hospital by EMS. During transport the Lt. went into full cardiac arrest. He was resuscitated in the ambulance by the paramedics and rushed to the Emergency Room.  Lt. Boullosa continued to suffer cardiac problems and it was not known whether he would survive the night. Eventually the Lt. pulled through, but not without permanent damage to his heart.  Lt. Boullosa went through a long recuperation period and was heard to say that he would not let his impairment stop him from performing a vital function for the Fire Department. He was assigned to Fire Alarm where he served as Shift Supervisor for his shift for almost nine years until his injury took him from his family and the Fire Department on September 11, 1988.

 Lieutenant Boullosa was survived by his wife Margaret, sons, Jim and David and daughter Stephanie.