Captain Matthew King Memorial Pickleball Tournament: About 180 people gathered at Manzano Mesa Park in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on Saturday for the first-ever Captain Matthew King Memorial Pickleball Tournament. The event was held to honor Captain Matthew King, a firefighter who lost his life in a helicopter crash. With help from the organization Ten-82 and support from local first responders and the pickleball community, the tournament was a success.
Remembering Captain Matthew King
Captain Matthew King served with Bernalillo County Fire Rescue. He was tragically killed along with three Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputies in a helicopter crash involving Metro 2. The crash deeply affected the local community. In response, organizers wanted to find a meaningful way to honor his memory.
Eric Wasson, who worked with Captain King, said,
“He’s quite a character, quite a personality. And he’s greatly missed.”
Wasson added,
“Captain King was a member of Bernalillo County Fire Rescue. Was tragically killed alongside three Bernalillo County sheriff’s deputies in the Metro 2 crash.”
How the Tournament Came Together
The tournament was organized by Cornel Heitzman, a retired officer with the Albuquerque Police Department. He led the effort in partnership with Ten-82, a group that supports first responders. Despite short notice, the event drew a large crowd.
Cornel Heitzman said,
“Very pleasantly surprised. I’m just honored to see this many people come out on short notice.”
Heitzman explained that after learning more about Captain King, organizing the event felt like the right thing to do.
Heitzman said,
“It’s such a good way to bring the community together for a good cause.”
Community Support and Future Hopes
The event not only honored a fallen hero but also brought people together in a positive and supportive way. Many who knew Captain King hope this becomes an annual tradition.
Eric Wasson shared,
“It just shows the dedication and the support that the public gives to public service.”
Why It Matters
This tournament showed how strong community ties can be. It honored the life of a respected firefighter and gave people a chance to show support for first responders. Organizers hope this event will grow each year and continue to celebrate Captain Matthew King’s memory.
News in Brief: Captain Matthew King Memorial Pickleball Tournament
About 180 people played in the first Captain Matthew King Memorial Pickleball Tournament at Manzano Mesa Park. This pickleball event honored King, a fallen firefighter, and was supported by Ten-82 and local first responders. Organizers hope to make the tournament an annual tradition to remember his legacy.
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