Honorees

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Year Honored
2009
Honoree
Tonya Michelle Mallard
Agency
Waldorf Volunteer Fire Dept.
Agency City
Waldorf
Agency State
MD
Last Call
9/28/08
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"Tonya's smile was like a beacon to all of us," stated Chief Daniel Stevens of the Waldorf Fire Department. "She was a ray of sunshine; her attitude, enthusiasm and energy were endless. Tonya was always willing to get others into the volunteer fire department and became their mentor."<br /> <br /> Tonya Mallard, 38, was killed in the line of duty on September 28, 2008. She was part of the Waldorf Ambulance crew that responded to a vehicle crash. After accessing the crash victims, it was determined that a medical helicopter was needed for transport to a trauma center. Mallard volunteered to fly along to care for one of the two passengers. En route to Prince George's Hospital, the weather turned worse and visibility was a problem. The pilot radioed that the crew had encountered poor visibility and shortly afterward, the helicopter disappeared from the radar screen. It had crashed in the dense wooded area within Walker Mill Regional Park in Forestville, Maryland.<br /> <br /> Volunteer Mallard joined the Waldorf Volunteer Fire Department in 2004. She was an EMT-B and a dedicated volunteer who never hesitated to help. She held the rank of sergeant at the department.<br /> <br /> "Tonya will always live on in our hearts and forever ride with us as we continue to provide exemplary service to our community," said Chief Stevens.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009