July 27--Firefighters from throughout Sandoval County gathered this week to honor the memory of former Chief Jon Tibbetts by renaming the county's newest fire station after him.
The ceremony on Monday fell one day before the first anniversary of Tibbetts' death in a car crash on Interstate 25 while driving to work on July 23, 2012. The county hired him in 2004 to create a professional fire and EMS system.
"In one moment we lost a good friend, a husband, a father and a son," Santa Ana Pueblo Gov. Myron Armijo said.
Others who spoke, including Sandoval County Commission Chairman Darryl Madalena and Fire Chief James Maxon, talked about Tibbetts' passion for his work, and his reputation for integrity and perseverance.
Maxon said it seemed fitting to name Fire Station 21 on Santa Ana Pueblo, which opened last spring, in Tibbetts' honor because he played a key role in planning it and obtaining $2.7 million in funding for construction.
It was built under an agreement between the county and the pueblo, through which Santa Ana donated 2 acres of land for the facility. The funding came from state and federal sources, including money from the federal stimulus program.
A special committee recommended renaming the station in honor of Tibbetts and the county commission gave its approval in June.
County policy says a person being memorialized must have made a significant impact and contribution to the community and the county.
Copyright 2013 - Albuquerque Journal, N.M.
