Tammy Dodson spent her career caring for others before suffering fatal burns in a Prescott Valley backyard incident.
PRESCOTT VALLEY, Ariz. — The family of a longtime health care worker who died after being severely burned in a backyard fire pit incident is remembering her as a devoted mother, grandmother and caregiver as police continue investigating what happened.
Relatives identified the woman as 58-year-old Tammy Dodson, a certified nursing assistant who worked in the Veterans Affairs health care system. Dodson died Oct. 4 at a Phoenix-area burn center, 10 days after emergency crews responded to a Prescott Valley home. Her death came one day before her 59th birthday.
The loss has left Dodson’s relatives balancing questions about the Sept. 24 incident with an effort to keep attention on the woman they knew before it happened. Family members described her as a person whose professional and personal life centered on caring for other people, including veterans, her children and her grandchildren.
Prescott Valley police and Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority crews were called to a home on Tracy Drive at about 10:45 p.m. Sept. 24 following a report of a burn victim. Officers found a seriously injured woman in the backyard, and she was transported to a Phoenix-area burn center. A man at the home was also injured but did not require hospitalization, police said.
Authorities have said the injuries occurred as someone was attempting to relight a fire pit. Gasoline was involved, according to police accounts reported by Arizona news organizations. Investigators have not publicly released a complete reconstruction of the incident, and police have not announced any criminal charges.
Dodson remained in intensive medical care for 10 days as relatives gathered around her. Family members traveled from Arizona and other states to be at the hospital, according to relatives who have spoken publicly about her death. Her condition ultimately deteriorated, and she died Oct. 4.
Relative Kristine Valentine said the family does not want Dodson’s identity reduced to the manner in which she died. In accounts shared with news organizations, relatives described Dodson as a vibrant and caring person who remained closely connected with her family and community.
Dodson’s work as a certified nursing assistant was another part of the life her relatives are emphasizing. Family accounts said she worked with veterans and spent years in a profession built around direct patient care. Her death has prompted an outpouring of support from relatives and friends as the family prepares to honor her life.
A fundraiser organized for Dodson’s family is intended to help with expenses connected to her hospital care, funeral and memorial arrangements. Her relatives have described the financial effort as part of a broader attempt to support her children while they grieve.
Important questions about the fire pit incident remain unanswered. Police have not publicly identified the injured man, confirmed a final sequence of events or said whether investigators believe criminal charges are warranted. Authorities also had not publicly confirmed Dodson’s identity in information reported Friday, although her family has identified her by name.
Prescott Valley police said the investigation remains active. Dodson’s relatives, meanwhile, are focusing on her years as a caregiver and her role within their family while awaiting any additional findings from investigators.
Author note: Last updated October 10, 2026.