The U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) has received notice of the following firefighter fatality: NM

It is in great sadness that we as a Brotherhood post the 50th Line Of Duty Deaths in 2012 from the United States Fire Administration. Fellow Brother Firefighter & Chief of Department Jon Tibbetts has made the ultimate sacrifice in love for their fellow man. Our sincerest condolences go out to his family and members of the Sandoval County Fire Department.

Jon Tibbetts

Rank: Fire Chief
Age: 59
Gender: Male
Status: Career
Years of Service: 35
Date of Incident: 07/23/2012
Time of Incident: 0823hrs
Date of Death: 07/23/2012

Fire Department: Sandoval County Fire Department
Address: PO Box 40, 1500 Idalia RD, Building D, Bernalillo, NM 87004
Fire Department Chief: Interim Fire Chief James Maxon

Incident Description: Fire Chief Tibbetts was enroute to administer a physical abilities test to a newly hired county employee at a location other than his normal duty station. While traveling on Interstate 25, Tibbetts was struck by another driver causing the fire department vehicle he was operating to roll twice, cross over a retaining wall, and come to a final resting position on the vehicle’s roof. Chief Tibbets died at the scene of the crash from the injuries he sustained.

Incident Location: Interstate 25 just south of Bernalillo (NM 239)

Funeral Arrangements: 07/27/2012

Tribute is being paid to Fire Chief Jon Tibbetts at http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/

To date, 50 firefighter fatalities have been reported to USFA in 2012. Year-to-date monthly and annual USFA firefighter fatality reports are posted online @ http://www.usfa.fema.gov/fireservice/fatalities/statistics/ff_stats...