Alamogordo residents gathered this week to honor the memory of retired police officer Alfred Marchand, whose life was cut short aboard United Airlines Flight 175 on September 11, 2001. The memorial, held inside the lobby of the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety, brought together former teammates, family members, and community supporters to reflect on his service and the lasting impact of his friendship.
Personal bonds forged in service
For Theo Livingston, who joined the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety in 1985, Marchand was more than a mentor; he became a close friend and a second family. “We became friends right away, and from there it just bloomed into a really tight friendship—more family than friends,” Livingston said. Marchand, known affectionately as “Al,” served as Livingston’s training officer, a role that forged a deep, lasting connection that extended beyond the precinct walls.
Retired Lieutenant Jerry Hardison echoed that sentiment, noting that Marchand’s kindness reached the spouses and children of officers as well. “He wasn’t just loved by us officers that worked with him. He was loved by our wives, by our kids. Those ties went very, very deep,” Hardison said.
A love of flight and a tragic loss
After retiring from the police force in March 2001, Marchand pursued a lifelong passion for aviation by becoming a flight attendant. “He loved to fly. He loved to go places,” Livingston recalled. That love of the skies placed him on United Airlines Flight 175, the second aircraft that struck the World Trade Center on that fateful morning.
Retired Sergeant Doyle Syling recounted the moment he learned of Marchand’s death. “I received the call that Al was on that plane and passed as that crash was playing on my television,” Syling said, describing the shock that rippled through the department.
Livingston described his own reaction as he watched the second plane approach the towers. “When I saw the second plane going to the tower and it was United Airlines, I thought, ‘Oh, man, don’t, don’t let this be him.’ But I had a very bad feeling he was on that aircraft,” he said.
Remembering a hometown hero
At 44 years old, Marchand was the only known New Mexico resident among the nearly 3,000 victims of the attacks. “We have one man, one retired cop, second tower. And it’s like, what are the chances?” Livingston reflected.
The memorial in the police department lobby features a plaque honoring Marchand’s service and sacrifice. When it was time to lay him to rest, Syling served on Marchand’s honor guard, delivering a 21‑gun salute that left many in the room “gut‑wrenching,” according to Syling.
Livingston now carries Marchand’s badge number, 55, as a personal tribute. “I know he’ll be waiting for us whenever it’s our time. And I’ll be looking forward to seeing him again one day,” Livingston said, expressing hope that their friendship will endure beyond this life.
Community remembrance continues
Alamogordo will continue to honor the lives lost on September 11 with a community memorial stair‑climb this weekend, beginning Saturday morning at 7:30 a.m. The event invites residents to walk together in remembrance, reinforcing the town’s commitment to never forget the sacrifices made on that day.
Through these personal stories and communal gatherings, Alamogordo demonstrates the strength of its close‑knit community, honoring both the public service of its officers and the shared grief of a nation still healing.
Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.
