Honorees

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Year Honored
2011
Honoree
Anthony Archuleta
Agency
Southwest Med Evac
Agency City
Las Cruces
Agency State
NM
Last Call
2/5/10
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Anthony didn't only say he was "living the dream and making a difference," he was doing just that. He spent his life taking care of others first. A devoted husband to his wife, Kim, and a wonderful father, he grew up in Colorado and raised his family on a farm in Fruita. While in Colorado, Anthony pursued his dream of serving as a paramedic. There he worked for Platte Valley Medical Center for eight years and was fondly known by his colleagues as "Nugget." Wanting to be closer to his beloved grandson, Dominic, he and Kim moved to El Paso, Texas where Anthony found a job that combined his love of flying and his love for helping people, as a flight paramedic with Omniflight. He also worked for UMS, Fort Bliss Fire Department.<br /> <br /> Anthony Archuleta, 54, of El Paso, Texas, died in the line of duty on February 5, 2010. He and two other crewmembers were onboard the Southwest Med Evac helicopter participating in a two-day training exercise at Fort Bliss Military Reservation. The helicopter was equipped with state-of-the-art navigation and GPS systems and all crewmembers used night vision goggles. The pilot was in constant communication with the base and weather conditions that night were clear. On final approach, the helicopter unexpectedly crashed.<br /> <br /> Mr. Archuleta was a graduate of Fruita Monument High School and attended Front Range Community College in Colorado. He was pursuing his bachelor's degree at ENMSU at the time of his death.<br /> <br /> Honored 2011