HOUSE MEMORIAL 31

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2023

INTRODUCED BY

Cynthia Borrego

 

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

DECLARING FEBRUARY 6, 2023 "BERNALILLO COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT LIEUTENANT MATTHEW KING DAY" IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND HONORING HIS COURAGEOUS SACRIFICE.

 

     WHEREAS, Bernalillo county fire department lieutenant Matthew King embodied everything a firefighter aspires to be: an example of courage, dedication and sacrifice; and

     WHEREAS, as a rescue specialist with the Bernalillo county fire department, Lieutenant King accepted the challenges and dangers of the career he had embraced; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King grew up in Albuquerque and was a graduate of Eldorado high school; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King began his firefighting career in 2000 as a volunteer with the Corrales fire department, followed by employment with Albuquerque ambulance service and also worked at times for the Los Ranchos de Albuquerque fire department, the Sandoval county fire department and the Rio Rancho fire and rescue department; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King began his career with the Bernalillo county fire department in August 2011, and he was promoted to lieutenant in January 2020; and

     WHEREAS, in addition to his duties as a rescue specialist, Lieutenant King was an emergency medical services educator and served in the training division; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King's life of public service was cut short on July 16, 2022 when he was one of four public safety officers killed in a helicopter crash south of Las Vegas, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King was on board the Bernalillo county sheriff's office metro two helicopter with a crew assisting with efforts to contain the east mesa fire; and

     WHEREAS, the crew had been making water drops from the helicopter prior to the crash, which happened during the flight back to Albuquerque; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King survived the initial crash, called 911 and was on the line for thirty minutes trying to direct first responders to the site before his death; and

     WHEREAS, to honor Lieutenant King's service, bravery and sacrifice, a community gathering to say final goodbyes was held on August 1, 2022 at Tingley coliseum; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King's funeral was filled with heavy emotions as friends and colleagues recalled the impact Lieutenant King had on their lives; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King was described as a man who taught others how to laugh during the good times and the bad times and served as an amazing mentor for how to live a good life; and

     WHEREAS, during the funeral, Lieutenant King was given the highest award by the Bernalillo county fire department, the medal of honor, and his helmet was presented to his colleagues and then to his family; and

     WHEREAS, fellow firefighters lined the streets to honor their fallen brother; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King was also given a fitting final dispatch, and a final bell toll was rung and the recorded final dispatch was played at the conclusion of the funeral; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King is survived by his wife, Audrey; his son, Aedden; and his daughter, Kyra; and

     WHEREAS, Lieutenant King leaves a legacy as a courageous public servant who was always guided by his moral compass;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that February 6, 2023 be declared "Bernalillo County Fire Department Lieutenant Matthew King Day" in the house of representatives and that Lieutenant King be honored for his courageous sacrifice; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the family of Lieutenant Matthew King.

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