The Arizona Department of Public Safety has lost its first officer in the line of duty in eight years during a rescue of two hikers near Sedona.

Medic Officer Bruce Harrolle, 36, was helping rescue two hikers from Bell Rock Monday when he was struck and killed by a helicopter rotor blade.

Harrolle and a pilot were aboard the helicopter.

"While they were performing the rescue, they were able to get the male subject into the helicopter," said DPS Lt. James Warriner. "While trying to put the female into the helicopter, something happened that caused the paramedic to get struck by a rotor blade, resulting in his death."

Warriner said the pilot was able to go ahead with the rescue and get the stranded hikers off the mountain.

Mountain rescues are very dangerous, Warriner said, "because typically they're working off one skid or both skids or just barely on the rocks or wherever they decide to move."

Harrolle, who lived in Mesa, had been with DPS for nine years. He is survived by his wife and two children.

"This is really something that hits us all -- not only our agency, but it goes out to all the law enforcement community and the rescue and fire services. This is tough for all of us," Warriner said.

The National Transportation Safety Board will join local authorities in an investigation of the incident.

Republished with permission of KTAR Radio.

Related:

• Arizona Department of Public Safety's Officer Down Memorial Page
• Friends mourn DPS medic killed by chopper blade
• National EMS Memorial Service
• National EMS Memorial Bike Ride