Fire marshal leads Sandoval Department

BERNALILLO, N.M. (KRQE) - The Sandoval County fire marshal will assume temporary leadership of the fire department following the death of Chief Jon Tibbetts in a car crash on Monday .

County Manager Phil Rios on Wednesday named James Maxon as interim fire chief to serve during the search for a permanent replacement.

Maxon, who joined the department in 2006, is both deputy chief and county fire marshal.  He has spent 20 years in the fire service previously worked with the state Fire Marshal's Office.

“I’m honored to have the opportunity to continue fulfilling the vision that Chief Tibbetts had for this department,” Maxon said in a statement released by the county.

Tibbetts, who was 59, died on duty Monday while traveling north on Interstate 25 approaching Bernalillo when his county-issued Ford Explorer and a Cadillac SUV collided.  Tibbetts' vehicle rolled and flipped over the median barrier landing on its top in the southbound lanes.

The other driver suffered minor injuries.  Police continue to investigate the crash.

Services for Tibbetts include a visitation at a Rio Rancho funeral home Thursday afternoon and evening and a memorial service at the Santa Ana State Center on Friday morning..