4 killed when a sheriff’s office helicopter crashed in New Mexico after helping fight a wildfire
By Jamiel Lynch and Amanda Musa, CNN
Four first responders who were killed when a sheriff’s office helicopter crashed in New Mexico on Saturday have been identified, officials said.
Three employees with the Bernalillo County Sheriff’s Office and one worker with the county’s fire department were killed near Las Vegas, New Mexico, the sheriff’s office said on social media.
They were identified as Undersheriff Larry Koren, 55, Lieutenant Fred Beers, 51, and Deputy Michael Levison, 30, all of the sheriff’s office, and Rescue Specialist Matthew King, 44, of Bernalillo County Fire Rescue, BCSO Sheriff Manuel Gonzales III announced Monday.
The helicopter and its crew had departed Albuquerque to assist with the East Mesa Fire and was helping crews on the ground with air logistics and bucket drops over the blaze, BCSO Captain Nick Huffmyer said during a press conference Monday.
After the helicopter had refueled and was returning to Albuquerque, all communication with the crew was lost near Las Vegas, officials said.
The crash site was discovered soon after. It remains unclear why the aircraft went down.
The Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the New Mexico State Police are investigating the cause, according to Huffmyer.
Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham responded Sunday to the death of the first responders, extending her deepest sympathy to their families on behalf of the people of New Mexico.
“These were dedicated public servants doing what first responders do day in and day out: working tirelessly for their fellow New Mexicans,” the governor said on Twitter.
Grisham ordered Monday that flags be flown at half-staff until sundown on July 22 to commemorate the lives of the first responders killed,.
The sheriff offered his condolences to the families of the victims during Monday’s news conference, which involved a moment of silence for the fallen first responders.
“All these people were dedicated,” the sheriff said. “We understood that they loved what they did to the point where I find some comfort in knowing that they lost their lives doing what they loved.”
Koren, who had been with the department for 23 years, leaves behind a wife and two sons.
Beers was a 13-year veteran of the sheriff’s office, and is survived by his wife, son, father and sister.
Levison, who began his career in the sheriff’s office more than four years ago, is survived his girlfriend, parents and two brothers, including one who is a deputy at the same department.
King, who had over 11 years of service, is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
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