DPS medic killed by helicopter blade during rescue

[Sgt Jon]

(Arizona)

DPS medic killed by helicopter blade during rescue
12:00 PM MST on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
By azfamily.com

SEDONA -- A Department of Public Safety paramedic was killed Monday when he was struck by a helicopter blade while rescuing stranded hikers in Sedona.

NTSB to investigate According to DPS, Bruce W. Harrolle, 36, was assisting in the rescue of two lost and dehydrated hikers near Bear Mountain in the Sedona area.

Harrolle was on the ground apparently attempting to escort the hikers to an awaiting helicopter.

According to the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, one of the hikers was able to enter the helicopter safely. As Harrolle was guiding the second hiker toward the helicopter, he was struck by a rotor blade and killed.

The second hiker was not injured and both were flown from the area to safety.

Harrolle was a nine-year veteran of DPS and is survived by his wife, two young children and his parents.

The DPS Special Investigations Unit and the National Traffic Safety Board (NTSB) are investigating.

Prior to Monday's incident, DPS had not lost an officer in the line of duty since March 2000.

[SSP8541]

RIP warrior.

Prayers go out to his family

[kennethm3]

Bruce was a good friend, and the nicest guy you'll ever meet. I first met him for the first time at my own wedding, seven years ago. We were having a small affair, just a few family members and a very good friend. I was a nervous wreck, things weren't quite going the way I had planned. Bruce showed up, looked around and assessed the situation and did what needed to be done with a constant smile and his can-do, no problem at all attitude, attacking my little problems like he did any major catastrophe. We are all still trying to get over the shock. Bruce leaves behind his wife and two small children.

As I hear more on funeral and memorial arrangements I'll post them here.

[SA FrequentFlyer]

Bruce will always be in our hearts. What a wonderfully good human being our community has lost. Please keep his beautiful and loving family in your thoughts and prayers. Rest In Peace, dear friend.

[SSP8541]

kennethm3
I first heard about the story because I work in AZ and one of my co-workers told me the bad news. I never met Bruce, but was touched by the story. Being a father as well, I can’t imagine the pain his family is going through. Your personal post about him made it even more touching. It showed he was the type of guy that will be missed by all.

[kennethm3]

Sorry about the delay in responding and thank you for the kind words and thoughts. The Arizona DPS web-page has links to several other sites and is the best source of information concerning memorial funds, Bruce's bio, and links to a tribute page where lots of great photos are being posted. The Governor ordered flags lowered on Tuesday. The public memorial will be next Monday, the law enforcement/fire/EMS turn-out is expected to be unprecedented in scale, details will be posted on the AZ-DPS page today at http://www.azdps.gov/