EPFD captain critically injured in motorcycle wreck dies, family says

A captain with the El Paso Fire Department died after he was critically injured in a motorcycle wreck over the weekend, relatives told ABC-7.

Police identified the man as 48-year-old Alejandro Gallardo of Socorro, Texas. A fire department spokesman confirmed Gallardo was a captain with the EPFD.

We spoke with fellow fire fighter Jesus Salmeron who said, “not only did the department lose an amazing leader but the public lost an amazing fire fighter.”

Police said Gallardo wrecked the motorcycle he was riding in the 11400 block of Vista Del Sol at about 2:19 a.m. Sunday, June 3, 2018.

Gallardo, operating a 2004 Honda motorcycle east on Vista Del Sol, was thrown off the motorcycle when he struck a curb, police said. Police said Gallardo was not wearing a helmet and suffered a severe head injury that ultimately resulted in his death.

Salmeron is still trying to come to grips with his loss. “You seek that guidance from fellow fire fighters and that’s basically what he provided, he took me under his wing and showed me the do’s and dont’s. He was a good leader and a very compassionate person.”

When asked to describe Gallardo, Salmeron said, “(Alex) was a very good amazing, compassionate person, and with a big heart. he was a big guy but you know his heart was twice as big.”