Mike Pettee and Tiffany Rodda aren’t typically the ones calling 911. They’re usually responding to the calls. They’re the ones activating the emergency lights, not watching them illuminate their own front yard.
But in the early-morning hours of May 7, a fire flipped the script — and changed the engaged couple’s lives forever.
Pettee, a Key West police officer for a decade or so, and Rodda, a Monroe County sheriff’s deputy since 2022, awoke to a fire consuming their Big Pine home. The pair both suffered second-degree burns while climbing out a window to escape the flames, then Pettee went back in to try to save the couple’s pets.
Alas, their three dogs and rabbit perished — and Pettee remains hospitalized in Miami for smoke inhalation. The couple shares five children from prior relationships, but none of the kids was home at the time of the fire.
The house was deemed a total loss and the state fire marshal’s office is investigating the cause of the fire that consumed everything.
“Mike has a long recovery in front of him,” said Jenny Young, a fellow police officer and a president of the Key West Police Love Fund, which provides financial support to officers in the event of an emergency. “They’ve lost everything. And Tiffany is still up with him at the hospital in Miami. Her phone was burned in the fire, so that presents an immediate challenge, just with getting in touch with people.”
Sheriff Rick Ramsay met the couple at the tarmac before the Trauma Star helicopter flew them out to Miami for treatment, and gave Rodda a shirt and blanket from his car.
A fire feels personal. Its destruction is so thorough, it feels intentional. Malevolent, even.
Nothing is where it once was. Everything you reach for is gone. Cell phone to call the insurance company? Gone. Identification and credit cards you’ll need to file that claim? Gone. Melted in a pile of plastic. Clean socks in a drawer? Gone. Kids’ artwork on the fridge door? Gone. Family heirlooms? Christmas decorations?
And the cars out front? At least they look unscathed. But wait, the key fobs were inside, now melted and useless.
In addition to Love Fund support, Young established a Go Fund Me account, entitled“Rebuilding for Officer Mike and Deputy Tiffany.”‘
“The outpouring of support has been incredible from this community, throughout the Keys,” Young said. “And everyone is asking how they could donate everything from bedroom sets to kitchen sets and dishes. But right now, honestly, Mike’s not even out of the hospital. We don’t know what their immediate plans will be, where they’ll live or what they’ll ultimately need. Right now, monetary donations are really the best and most effective way to help.”
Mary Ellen’s Bar is joining the effort and will donate all proceeds from its July vibrator races to the couple’s rebuilding fund. And Irish Kevin’s is selling special-edition T-shirts and donating 100% of the proceeds to the fund.
Key West Police Chief Sean Brandenburg spoke highly of Pettee’s commitment to the Key West community.
“Officer Pettee goes above and beyond any time you call on him, anytime you need help,” Brandenburg said.
“We deal with emergencies on a daily basis. It really hits home when it is one of your own, one of your close friends,” Young said of the fire. She said the Love Fund helps department members who are facing personal crisis. The goal is to provide help and financial support with no obligation to pay it back. The fund operates on the idea that “even heroes need help,” Young said.
An account has been established at Keys Federal Credit Union to accept donations. Visit any branch to contribute. Supporters can also donate via Venmo @LoveKWPD.
Visit Irish Kevin’s Facebook page for their special-edition shirts and head to Mary Ellen’s on July 23 for the charity vibrator races.
