Final Arrangements for Fallen Firefighter

Native News Network Staff in Native Currents. Discussion »

YUMA, ARIZONA – Anthony Ramon Polk, a firefighter for the Quechan Tribe and a resident of Yuma, Arizona would have been 31 on his birthday, June 22, this year. Sadly, he died June 8 in a one vehicle accident while on assignment at the Montezuma Fire.

Anthony Polk with his Daughter

Memorial services are scheduled to begin at 5 pm this afternoon at Quechan Community Center. A wake is scheduled to begin at 3 pm on Friday at Yuma Mortuary Chapel. Funeral services will be at 5 pm on Friday at Cry House in Winterhaven. Cremation will be at dawn Saturday at the Quechan Cemetery.

An enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a descendent of the Quechan Tribe of Fort Yuma, through the Carr, Pasqual, Sahenti, Escalanti and Polk families, Anthony's given names are "Two Feathers" and "Morning Dancer at Sunrise. " Anthony participated in powwows and traditional ceremonies as a singer and grass dancer. He was an avid sports enthusiast and played a variety of sports. A graduate of San Pasqual High School in 1999, Anthony attended one year of college at Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas in 2000.

He served 10 years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Fort Yuma Agency where he became a leader of the Prescribed Fire Operations/Fuels Program. He was a Firing Boss and Incident Commander Type 4, as well as an Engine Boss, and training to be a Fire Investigator and a Burn Boss. He worked with several organizations including US Customs and Border Protection, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife Service and local fire departments throughout the area in the fuels program.

He is survived by his daughter, Aiyana Polk, his mother, Ramona Villa, grandmother, Lucinda Polk, siblings, Manual, Alex and Raquiel Villa, and numerous relatives and friends.

His parents are Ramona Polk Villa and Benjamin Villa of Yuma; grandparents are Lucinda Escalanti Polk and the late Raphael Bradley Polk, Sr. He was preceded in death by Grandmother Vicenta Villa and Grandfather Manual Martinez and his Aunt Mancy Triste.

Anthony was most known for his outgoing, caring, friendly personality and good sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, cooking, and being with family. He devoted all his energy to making his daughter happy.

Cards can be sent to the Polk Family at 673 Baseline Road, Winterhaven, California 92283.

Donations in the name of Anthony Polk are being accepted at the AEA Federal Credit Union, call 928.783.8881.

posted June 14, 2012 9:20 am edt