OAKLAND — Jake P. Walter, the 30-year-old Oakland firefighter slain in a random act of violence in San Jose, was remembered Saturday by friends and family for his dreams of becoming a firefighter, his dedication to the city of Oakland, and his random acts of kindness.

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Oakland firefighter killed in San Jose shooting; suspect arrested At his memorial service at the Oakland Scottish Rite Center, Mayor Libby Schaaf spoke of Walter’s love for his city and how that city was now grieving for one of its own.

As the Oakland family moves through its “grief for this unimaginable loss,” Schaaf said, “I hope that we take today to rededicate ourselves to that bond of family to honor Jake’s memory for what he exemplified.”

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The auditorium was filled with family members and what many consider his extended family. Classmates from Oakland’s Skyline High School and students he went on to mentor as a baseball coach came and shared memories alongside classmates from Fire Academy 216, which he graduated from just four months ago.

On Aug. 17, Walter and a number of other off-duty Oakland firefighters were attending a concert at the Gordon Biersch brewery on Taylor Street in San Jose. After the concert was over, Oliver Juinio, 27, of San Jose, allegedly walked up to the group and opened fire. Walter and a 26-year-old classmate from his fire academy were struck, but only Walter’s classmate survived.

Raymond Yu, one of Walter’s fire academy classmates, said that his class’ foundations were tested last week when “one of our pillars of our foundation was called home.”

Yu and others remembered Walter’s ceaseless optimism, sense of civic duty and winning smile. They said that Walter’s memory shouldn’t be about his death, but about the values he inspired in the people whom he touched in life.

“I speak for my class when I say that Jake will live on daily,” Yu said. “Every time we suit up, every time we throw on our mask and put someone’s need before our own, we will do it with that Jake Walter confidence. We will do it by holding ourselves to a higher standard that Jake can be proud of — and in that way he will live on through us.”

Although loved ones said Walter had always dreamed of being an Oakland firefighter, he also had worked as an EMT and paramedic and volunteered with the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

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Interim Fire Chief Darin White let Walter’s love for Oakland and its people speak for itself by reading a quote of Walter’s: “I know this is a beautiful city, which has been my home for most of my life. It is a thriving cultural melting pot with a little something for everyone.”

Donations to support fallen and injured firefighters can be sent to “Friends of Oakland Fire” or “Oakland Firefighters’ Local 55 Charity Fund.” The mailing address for both organizations is 150 Frank H. Ogawa Plaza, Third Floor, Oakland, CA 94612.