DOC Officer Dies on Fire Assignment
October 8, 2008
An Arizona Department of Corrections Officer Douglas Falconer passed away on October 1 on the fire lines in California. Officer Falconer suffered a fatal heart attack wile he was watching an inmate firefighting crew near Lake Havasu City. The crew was fighting a fire in the Havasu National Wildlife Refuge when Officer Falconer collapsed. Life saving efforts where taken by the crew but officer Falconer passed away. Falconer was with the DOC for 4 years.Officer Falconer, was a valued member of ASPC-Phoenix/Globe’s Inmate Wildland Fire Crew. Officer Falconer, who is survived by his wife, first joined the Arizona Department of Corrections in 2004 and was assigned to ASPC-Phoenix’s Globe Unit. He left briefly in 2005 returning in 2006 to Globe. Officer Falconer was a proud member of our Wildland Fire team since July 2007. Other wildland fires to which he and the crew responded in 2007 included the Coolay and August fires and in 2008 the Alamo, Sombreso, Stone, Cabin and Lacienaga fires. When not fighting wildland fires, the Globe crew also tackled seven significant brush abatement assignments this year. In honor of his dedication to the state, Arizona Department of Corrections’ flags have been lowered and badges have been shrouded. The State of Arizona will lower all flags to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Officer Falconer’s funeral services.Services for Officer Falconer will be Held wednesday September, 8 at the Gila County Fair Grounds exhibit hall at 11:00 a.m. There will be a procession from Milles Funeral Home in Globe to the Fair Grounds at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday. Copper Country News would like to send are condolences to Officer Falconer’s family and to the firefighter and officer who lost a comrade.
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At one time Doug was my brother-in-law.
While we didn’t see eye-to-eye all the time, a good friendship was built over the years.
It’s hard to believe the man I ran around with as a kid and was a part of my family is gone.
Doug loved hunting and fishing and I was fortunate to have tagged along a number of times.
I know Tim, Doug’s brother remembers when we were quail hunting and received birdshot from a distance!
Doug was a good man, a man of integrity.
He was NEVER afraid to tell you exactly what was on his mind.
I know I will miss him, and I’m sad I missed his funeral.
My regards go out to the crew that was with him on his final mission. I’d like to thank them for their efforts in trying to save Doug.
My sympathies go out to Jeannie, his wife.
May God bless and keep him for eternity; he will be missed.
“Pat Emery, Globe, AZ”..