Alamogordo remembers retired officer lost in 9/11 attacks
Retired Alamogordo police officer Alfred Marchand, who died aboard United Airlines Flight 175 on September 11, 2001, is being remembered by friends and colleagues 25 years later.
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. —
On September 11, 2001, retired Alamogordo police officer Alfred Marchand lost his life aboard United Airlines Flight 175, the second plane to strike the World Trade Center, leaving behind a legacy cherished by friends and colleagues 25 years later.
For Theo Livingston, Marchand was more than just a fellow officer.
“We became friends right away. And from there it just bloomed into a really tight friendship. More family than friends,” Livingston said.
Livingston joined the Alamogordo Department of Public Safety in 1985, where Marchand, known as “Al” to his friends, became his training officer. Their bond grew quickly, and their friendship extended beyond the department.
“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,” Jerry Hardison, Retired Lieutenant with Alamogordo Department of Public Safety, said.
Marchand retired from the police force in March 2001 and pursued his passion for flying by becoming a flight attendant.
“He loved to fly. He loved to go places,” Livingston said.
On September 11, 2001, Marchand was aboard United Airlines Flight 175. Retired Sergeant Doyle Syling recalled the moment he learned of his friend’s death.
“I received the call that Al was on that plane and passed as that crash was playing on my television,” Syling said.
Livingston described his reaction as he watched the tragedy unfold.
“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.
Marchand was 44 years old and the only known New Mexico resident among the nearly 3,000 people killed that day.
“We have one man, one retired cop, second tower. And it’s like, what are the chances?” Livingston said.
Inside the lobby of the Alamogordo Police Department, a memorial honors Marchand’s memory, serving as a reminder to officers past and present to continue honoring his legacy.
When it came time to say goodbye, Syling served on Marchand’s honor guard.
“There’s nothing more gut-wrenching than, you know, the 21-gun salute,” Syling said.
Livingston has found his own way to keep his best friend close, carrying Marchand’s old badge number, 55.
Twenty-five years later, Livingston still reflects on the years they never got to share but holds onto the belief that they will meet again.
“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.
Alamogordo will continue honoring the lives lost on 9/11 this weekend with the community’s memorial stair climb, beginning Saturday morning at 7:30.
