Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
2009
Honoree
Michael T. Sanchez
Agency
Valley AirCare EMS
Agency City
Harlingen
Agency State
TX
Last Call
2/5/08
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
A special person deserves a special farewell, and Michael Sanchez received just that sendoff. He was a man with tremendous talent, and he touched many around him by his good-will spirit. He will always be remembered as an intelligent, caring man who made the ultimate sacrifice. Michael had great paramedic skills, was courageous and brave, and loved his job. He spent his off time with his family, often going fishing ? a sport they all loved.<br /> <br /> Michael Sanchez, 39, lost his life in the line of duty on February 5, 2008. He was one of a three-person medical team returning from an island. The plans for the transport of the patient from the island to a Harlingen hospital had been cancelled. It is believed the pilot encountered high winds about seven miles out. The helicopter was located in the Laguna Madres near the South Padre Island Convention Center.<br /> <br /> Sanchez had been flight paramedic of Valley AirCare EMS in Harlingen, Texas for eight years. He also volunteered at the La Feria Fire Department.<br /> <br /> "He was a great guy, he loved everybody, and everybody loved him," said Chief Garcia. "But I will always remember Sanchez as a person who always took advantage of opportunities to succeed. That says a lot about the type of person he was; he had tremendous talent to go along with what he learned."<br /> <br /> Honored 2009