Albuquerque Fire Station 7 Dedicated to Late City Councilor Ken Sanchez

July 12, 2021

This evening, City of Albuquerque leadership, community members, and members of the Sanchez family gathered for a dedication ceremony at Fire Station 7 to honor the late City Councilor Ken Sanchez. City Councilors Klarissa Peña and Lan Sena, who was appointed to fill District 1 seat after Councilor Sanchez’s passing, emceed the event that included remarks from Mayor Tim Keller, City Council President Cynthia Borrego, Councilor Don Harris, AFR Chief Gene Gallegos, IAFF Local 244, the Albuquerque Fire Department Retirees Association, neighborhood leaders, and Councilor Sanchez’s daughter Jaclyn Sanchez. Today’s dedication came on Ken Sanchez’s birthday, he would have been 65.

“Councilor Ken Sanchez was an exceptional advocate for Albuquerque’s westside. He worked incredibly hard to build Fire Station 7 and it’s a fitting honor to have this state-of-the-art public safety facility named after him,” said jointly by Council President Cynthia Borrego and Councilors Lan Sena, Klarissa Peña, and Don Harris.

“When we look up at Station 7 and see Ken's name, we remember what it means to serve. What it means to put community above one's self,” said Mayor Keller. "Ken loved this city. He changed it for the better through decades of hard work; he changed all of us who knew him through his unfaltering kindness and honest guidance."

Fire Station 7 was built in December 2012 and now has “Ken Sanchez Fire Station” memorialized over the station garage doors on the front of the building. Also, just outside the front door to the station there is a plaque honoring Councilor Sanchez that was unveiled Monday evening. Councilor Sanchez championed this very important project and helped identify funding and helped move the project along to completion. He was excited to add this component of public safety to west central.

“Councilor Sanchez had been a major public safety advocate in his public service career, and we thank him for all the hard work he had dedicated to AFR,” said AFR Chief Gallegos. “We can’t thank Councilor Sanchez enough.”

Councilor Ken Sanchez passed away on January 1, 2020. Ken Sanchez was a City Councilor for 15 years and before that, served on the Bernalillo County Commission for 8 years. Councilor Sanchez was an ideal public servant working tirelessly on wide ranging issues including public safety, economic development, and City programming and services. Councilor Sanchez’s legacy of public service to his community in Albuquerque will be felt for many years to come.

“I cannot think of a more appropriate tribute to my father, Ken Sanchez, as public safety was always so important to my him and he was beyond excited to open Fire Station 7 and ensure the safety of his community and first responders,” Jaclyn Sanchez. “Our family appreciates this special, heartfelt dedication from the The City, and Albuquerque Fire and Rescue.”