Valley helicopter paramedic laid to rest

SAN BENITO — Police car, ambulance and fire truck sirens wailed Monday as family and community members gathered to pay their last respects to paramedic Michael Sanchez.

Sanchez’s mother was inconsolable, crying out “Michael” and “I want my son back.”

Hundreds more, including paramedics and law enforcement officials from around the Rio Grande Valley, saluted the 39-year-old as his flag-draped casket arrived at Mont Meta Cemetery in San Benito, his final resting place.

Sanchez died Feb. 5 when a Valley AirCare helicopter crashed into the Laguna Madre near the South Padre Island Convention Centre.

Pilot Robert Goss and paramedic nurse Raul Garcia also died in the crash, which preliminary reports blame on strong wind. The three were returning from the Island, where they had canceled plans to pick up a patient for transport to a Harlingen hospital.

Harlingen Mayor Chris Boswell, Police Chief Danny Castillo, Fire Chief Michael Rinaldi and Cameron County Sheriff Omar Lucio attended Sanchez’s funeral Mass at St. Theresa Catholic Church, also in San Benito.

“Now, everytime we see ambulances we’ll think of him,” said Sanchez’s 23-year-old son, Patrick.

“I’m grateful and happy because mostly these were his partners,” Patrick said about the large number of people who attended his father’s funeral. “He was a great guy — a nice person. He loved everyone and everyone loved him.”

Besides working as a paramedic, Sanchez was also a La Feria Fire Department volunteer.

La Feria Fire Chief Rick Garcia said the news of Sanchez’s death was overwhelming, particularly because it brought back memories of another Valley AirCare crash 10 years ago, when Garcia himself dispatched the call for help to that scene.

“It’s a lot to bear,” Garcia said with tears in his eyes on Monday.

Sanchez’s brother-in-law Steve Saldaña said he will remember Sanchez as loyal, heroic, compassionate and loving to his family.

“He was outgoing and an outdoorsman,” Saldaña added. “He loved his fishing.”

And uncle Guillermo Gonzalez said he’ll remember his nephew as a simple guy who was always happy and was loved by many people.

“I always thought I’d go first, but I guess he beat me to it,” Gonzalez said. “One thing’s for sure — I’m going to miss him.”

Goss, 55, is set to be buried in Illinois.

Garcia, 38, was buried Monday in Laredo.