CASA GRANDE - Friends, family and fellow agents gathered Wednesday to remember a smart, loving and dedicated Border Patrol agent who "died far too young."
Michael V. Gallagher, 32, died last week in a wreck while patrolling on the Tohono O'odham Nation. The driver of the vehicle that struck Gallagher, Angela Mata, 40, of Sells, has been charged with negligent homicide, criminal damage and driving under the influence, Tohono O'odham officials have said.
Gallagher, a Pennsylvania native, joined the Border Patrol in July 2008 after graduating first in his class at the Border Patrol academy. He previously spent six years in the Army, including a tour in Iraq. Border Patrol leaders called him a hero and model agent.
"He was an agent that died far too young," said Border Patrol Chief Michael Fisher. "I ask you to honor Michael by keeping his story alive."
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Nearly 500 people filled the First Assembly of God Church in Casa Grande for the late-morning memorial service. Among them were his wife of four years, Samantha; and his two sons, Quincy, 8; and Rhyan, 3. His parents and two sisters were also there.
His sister, Julie Gallagher-Merone, told the packed church how much her brother loved spending time with his wife and two sons. A picture of Gallagher, in his Border Patrol uniform, holding Rhyan and standing beside Samantha and Quincy, was up on two large screens throughout the hour-long service.
"The most important people on Earth to him were Samantha, Quincy and Rhyan," said Gallagher-Merone, who spoke at the memorial. "They were a picture of happiness."
Fellow agent Michael Bergeron, who graduated from the same Border Patrol academy class as Gallagher, echoed that.
"I have never heard somebody say 'I love you' to his wife, kids, sisters and parents quite as much as he did," Bergeron said.
Gallagher-Merone said her brother was straight-A honor student who liked baseball, running and hunting and fishing with his father and uncles. He loved the Philadelphia Eagles and Philadelphia Phillies.
He inherited his dedication to his country from his father and grandfather who both served in the military, she said. He inherited his good heart from his mother, she added.
His fellow agents remembered him as an intelligent, responsible and unflappable role model who was always the first to help fellow agents.
He was always an hour early," Bergeron said. "He was always down south first."
His longtime friend, T.J. Hershey, said he'll remember Gallagher's infectious laugh, work ethic and as being a great friend. One time after rocking to his favorite song in a friend's car, he accidentally broke the window, Hershey told the crowd. At the next stop, he got $200 from an ATM and gave it to his friend.
"He was the best guy you could ever talk to," Hershey said.
Gallagher is the ninth agent to die on duty in the Border Patrol's Tucson Sector, and first since 2006.
David Aguilar, Deputy Commissioner of U. S. Customs and Border Protection, commended Gallagher's parents for raising and developing a tremendous man who served his country.
"Thank you for sharing him with us," Aguilar said.
Contact reporter Brady McCombs at 573-4213 or bmccombs@azstarnet.com
