Mayor Honors Several Public Safety Personnel

March 26, 2010

Three fire fighters honored for balloon rescue and an APD Detective recognized for apprehending burglary suspects

On Friday, Mayor Richard J. Berry honored three Albuquerque fire fighters for their heroic efforts to rescue four people trapped in the gondola of a balloon that had become entangled with a light pole 30 feet off the ground. Additionally, Mayor Berry honored an APD detective who arrested two repeat property crime offenders.

Upgraded Lieutenant Daniel Ortega, Driver Martin Lucero and Fire Fighter Kerry McKinstry as well as Detective Soren Ericksen from the Albuquerque Police Department are this week’s Friday’s Heroes. Each week, Mayor Berry or Public Safety Director Darren White recognizes at least one public safety employee who goes above the call of duty.

The incident for which the fire fighters are being honored occurred on Sunday, March 21st when 13 AFD units were dispatched to a high angle rescue at a park on Second Street SW. At that location, a hot air balloon became entangled with a light pole after experiencing heavy winds, trapping its occupants in a very perilous situation.

Upon arrival, Ladder 1 set up on the northeast side of the event. The Ladder Officer, at the tip of the ladder, made contact with the balloon passengers. Ladder 13, led by Upgraded Lt. Ortega, then set up on the southeast side and began rescue operations. Engine 13 set up a belay system with Ladder 1 and passengers were assisted to the platform by Upgraded Lt. Ortega and Fire Fighter McKinstry. Ladder 13 Driver Lucero was at the bottom of the ladder providing backup control of the platform. All four balloon passengers were escorted down to safety where they were evaluated on the ground by paramedics. It was determined that none of them had sustained injuries during the harrowing experience.

AFD personnel with the assistance of Albuquerque City Parks staff and PNM, removed the gondola from the pole.

“Once again, our fire fighters have shown that there is no task too daunting when it comes to the safety of our citizens,” stated Mayor Berry. “They braved dangerous conditions to rescue the trapped passengers and did so without hesitation.”

In a separate incident, Albuquerque Police Department Detective Soren Ericksen is being recognized for his efforts in the arrest of two teen suspects involved in numerous home burglaries. Detective Ericksen works for the Northwest Impact Team and was on duty earlier this month when calls came into dispatch about a suspicious vehicle with two males, in a neighborhood near Unser NW. Neighbors reported the two males were ringing doorbells, tugging on front doors and looking through windows.

Detective Ericksen recognized that the vehicle described, a maroon Buick, was similar to one reportedly involved in several other burglaries in which the suspects were still outstanding. Along with other members of the team, Detective Ericksen assisted field officers in the area and located the suspect vehicle. He made contact with the 16 year old suspect who was driving the Buick in which a 19 year old male was a passenger. After interviewing the 16 year old, the detective connected both teens to the other burglaries he had been investigating.

Because of the shrewd investigative work performed by Detective Ericksen, APD was able to link the two suspects to numerous home burglaries, in which the teens were casing houses to determine if residents were at home. If no one answered when they knocked on the door, they would make entry into the home by breaking a window and stealing large ticket items such as flat screens, game systems and lap tops. It is believed that these suspects had hit residences in Belen, Los Lunas and Albuquerque. Detective Ericksen was able to secure a confession from the teens in most of the cases.

Mayor Berry praised the detective’s work in solving these crimes. “Detective Ericksen’s efforts put an end to these individuals’ long stream of crimes against the community,” stated Mayor Berry. “It serves as yet another reminder to thieves that our APD officers are determined and will do what it takes to drive criminals out of our neighborhoods.”