A Bureau of Land Management firefighter who was reported missing on May 14 was found deceased May 16 in Sierra Vista, Arizona.
Patrick Gladics was staying at a hotel while working out of the Sierra Vista Municipal Airport in southern Arizona as a helicopter manager, but failed to report to duty on May 14.
The Coronado National Forest reported that the Sierra Vista Police Department with the assistance of Arizona Department of Public Safety Air Rescue, found the body of the 38-year-old firefighter shortly before 12:30 p.m. May 16.
Mr. Gladics was found deceased in the desert area west of Walmart in Sierra Vista. SVPD Special Operations detectives responded to investigate the scene. The case is being referred to the Pima County Medical Examiner’s Office for further investigation.
His BLM vehicle had been located at the Walmart in Sierra Vista on Monday. Video surveillance showed him on foot heading north toward the open desert from the parking lot at about 5 a.m. on Saturday May 14.
The 11,620-acre San Rafael Fire is near the US/Mexico border 20 miles southwest of Sierra Vista. The latest entry on Inciweb was on May 15, reporting that the fire was 100 percent contained and was staffed by five people. Another fire in the area, the 112-acre Locklin Fire 20 miles southeast of Sierra Vista, was listed as contained April 30.
We send out our sincere condolences to the family, friends, and coworkers of Mr. Gladics.
Patrick, the BLM and fire service lost a great young person, may you Rest In Peace.
Flyron
Sierra Vista is a city of over 45,000 people, some 70 miles southeast of Tucson. US Army Fort Huachuca is immediately west.
Way too young to leave us. I would think south tip in AZ is remote and not populated.
Rest easy, brother
My thoughts are with his family and friends.
RIP Patrick….
My deepest condolences to the family and crew of Mr. Gladics. RIP, your heroic fight to stop this inferno will be remembered.