HOUSE MEMORIAL 24

46th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2004

INTRODUCED BY

Earlene Roberts

A MEMORIAL

COMMEMORATING THE LIFE OF PATRICK K. HARDESTY.

     WHEREAS, Patrick K. Hardesty was born in Artesia, New Mexico, on March 16, 1963 to Robert and Mickey Hardesty, who now live in Timberon, New Mexico; and

     WHEREAS, he was valedictorian of the Artesia high school class of 1981; and

     WHEREAS, during his senior year of high school, he was eagle scout of the year. His eagle project consisted of organizing a fundraising marathon for the march of dimes. He convinced local businesses and other organizations to sponsor teams to run in the marathon, each team member running one mile and passing a baton to the next runner. It was strictly a coincidence that troop 228's team consisted entirely of the high school and Park junior high track teams, so that boy scout troop 228 won the event and received lots of publicity; and

     WHEREAS, he participated in boys state in 1980, but his greatest pride in high school came from his participation in the Artesia high school bulldog band, where he was a section leader, made New Mexico all-state symphonic band and played French horn in concert season and valve trombone during marching season; and

     WHEREAS, he enlisted in the United States marine corps, which recognized his leadership ability and sent him to college at the university of Arizona in Tucson. After receiving his degree, he attended officer candidate school and received his commission. During his time with the corps, he was stationed in Okinawa, Japan; New Quay, England; and locations in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, while serving in the marine corps in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he spent much of his leave as a volunteer officer with the Tucson police department. When he retired from the marines at age thirty-eight, he had already built up several years of seniority with the Tucson police department. He retired from the marines on a Friday, and on Monday morning he began his full-time career as an officer in Tucson; and

     WHEREAS, he achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a licensed pilot; and

      WHEREAS, in May 2003, Patrick was shot and killed while chasing a suspect on foot; and

     WHEREAS, thousands of law enforcement officers from all over the country attended his funeral; and

     WHEREAS, a new law enforcement building in Tucson, the Twenty-second street substation, which was dedicated on January 1, 2004, has been named after Patrick; and

     WHEREAS, he is survived by his wife, Demetra; his three children, Jacob, Demetria, and Justin; a brother, Edward Hardesty, who is a deputy with the sheriff's department in Tucson; two sisters, Jan of Tucson and Margo, who lives in Hawaii; and a life-time best friend, Frank Prag and his wife C.J. of Mesa, Arizona;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that Patrick K. Hardesty be recognized for the full life he lived in the service of country and community and the sacrifice he made in service to his community.

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