United States (Arizona) - On Friday, family, friends and members of the community will continue to honor a Yuma-area firefighter who died while on duty last week. Anthony Polk, 31, was killed when his wildland fire engine rolled over in rough terrain June 8 as he and his crew were traveling along Federal Route 19 to battle the Montezuma Fire, located 20 miles southeast of Sells, Ariz.

The Montezuma Fire is on the Baboquivari Mountain Range in the Tohono O'odham Nation west of Tucson. As of June 11, the fire was 95 percent contained.

Two other firefighters, including 29-year-old Andy Rosales of Yuma, sustained minor injuries during the incident.

Rosales returned to Yuma Tuesday after being released from the hospital where he was treated for neck and back injuries.

Memorial services for Polk were held Thursday at the Quechan Community Center. On Friday, a wake is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. at Yuma Mortuary. Funeral services will follow at 5 p.m. at the Cry House in Winterhaven. Polk will be cremated at dawn Saturday at the Quechan Cemetery.

Due to the procession that will accompany Polk's body between Yuma Mortuary and the Cry House, the city of Yuma is expecting traffic delays along the route.

The procession will begin at Yuma Mortuary, 551 W. 16th St., travel east to 4th Avenue, north to 1st Street and then east where all of the vehicles except the firetrucks will cross the Ocean-to-Ocean Bridge.

Motorists in the area will not be able to cross 4th Avenue between 1st and 16th streets during the procession unless directed by police officers, who will provide on-site traffic control.

Polk was an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a descendant of the Quechan Tribe of Fort Yuma. Polk's native name was "Two Feathers" and "Morning Dancer at Sunrise."

According to family members, Polk was known for his outgoing, caring, friendly personality and good sense of humor. He enjoyed fishing, cooking and spending time with family, especially his daughter, Aiyana Polk.

While a student at San Pasqual High School in Winterhaven during the late 1990s, Polk was a member of the athletic club. He was regularly involved with the annual Strong Hearts Native Society pow wows held on the school's football field as a singer and grass dancer.

Polk graduated in 1999 and attended one year at Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kan.

He later attended the Fort Yuma Academy for Firefighters before serving with the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs at the Fort Yuma agency for 10 years. During his time with BIA, Polk became a leader of the Prescribed Fire Operations and Fuels Program. He was a firing boss, an engine boss and a Type 4 incident commander. He was training to be a fire investigator and a burn boss.

He worked with several federal organizations and local fire departments. His responsibility was to all five tribes along the Colorado River regarding the fuels program.

He is survived by daughter, Aiyana Polk; mother, Ramona Villa; grandmother, Lucinda Polk; and siblings Manual, Alex and Raquiel Villa.

Cards can be sent to the Polk Family at 673 Baseline Road, Winterhaven, CA 92283.

Flowers can be sent to Yuma Mortuary before 3 p.m. Friday. Donations for Polk's family are being accepted at AEA Federal Credit Union. The donation account number is 1613510-010.

Written by The Sun