By Brooke Curley
brooke@gilavalleycentral.net
SAFFORD – A funeral procession consisting of eight ambulances, two fire trucks, and one helicopter accompanied the remains of San Carlos EMS Supervisor Luther Victor to Bylas on Sunday.
Brice Evans, who is a firefighter and an EMT for San Carlos, contacted Gila Valley Central on Wednesday regarding the passing of Supervising Paramedic Luthor Victor. In his email, Evans informed Gila Valley Central that Victor passed while off-duty.
“On Monday, Oct. 2nd, our Supervisor, and longtime Paramedic Luther Victor passed away in an off-duty vehicle accident here on the reservation. Luther has been a major influence in the local and state EMS community for over 20 years,” Evans wrote.
Contributed Photo/Courtesy of Dove Schnebly: Police officers from multiple cities and towns participated in the procession.
The San Carlos EMS community gathered Sunday afternoon at the Caldwell Funeral Home in Safford to escort Luther to the wake at Bylas. The funeral procession of eight ambulances and two fire trucks drove down Highway 70, leaving the funeral home around 3:00 pm. Police officers also followed the ambulance holding Victor’s casket. Evens wrote that the public was invited to support the funeral escort by standing along the highway with signs, and flags.
Contributed Photo/Courtesy of Chelsea Estes: The Thatcher Fire Department lines up beside Highway 70 to honor Luthor Victor.
Dove Schnebly, who watched the funeral procession on Sunday when it left the funeral home, told Gila Valley Central that she felt that Victor received an honorable send-off.
“The deceased was greatly honored within the EMT and law enforcement community,” Schnebly said. “Watching the line of ambulances and other emergency vehicles leaving the funeral home was inspiring. He must have touched a lot of people’s lives. ”
To view Paramedic Luther Victor’s obituary, click here.
