Answering the Call: In Memory of Tom Frazier
Legacy, what is a legacy? It's planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.
It was a typical Sunday morning at Harvest Fellowship Church in Artesia — I was helping lead our congregation in morning worship. On this particular day, sometime in January of 2021, I opened my eyes in the middle of our last song and saw a man walking down the center aisle toward the altar.
His eyes were closed, his head was angled toward the ground, hands lifted toward the ceiling as he paced slowly, rhythmically, to the front. He was big (at least 6’3″, I thought), and strong, like he would be able to snap me in two if he wanted. He was intent and genuine in his worship; he stayed down at the front for the entire song, never wavering with his eyes or hands, his mouth quietly moving with the words in the song, his mind and body both focused on worshiping his Lord and Savior.
I had met and spoken to Tom Frazier a few weeks before, but it was in this moment that I saw who he was. I saw his heart, the boldness and vulnerability it took to step out for something he knew he needed, without a care in the world as to what those around him might say or think. This is the moment I really met Tom.
Tom, his wife Allison, and their three children — Camryn, Caden, and Carter — had only been attending Harvest Fellowship for about six months at this point, but they had called Artesia home for over three years, with Tom serving in the Artesia Police Department and as a firefighter for the Sun Country Fire Department.
Frazier was born to serve whatever community he was a part of, whether in the various positions he held in public service, or in his capacity as a private citizen.
“He was hard working and dedicated,” his wife Allison tells me. “He never did anything half-heartedly.”
Anyone who knew Frazier knew that these statements were accurate. He took the same approach with his faith. On February 21st, 2021, a month or so after this bold moment in worship, Tom and Allison were baptized. It was a day of celebration. Tom and Allison each rose out of the water with giant smiles across their faces. The congregation was cheering, the Fraziers were drying off, and then they were bombarded with hugs, shouts of congratulations, and pats on the back. It was a huge day, one that Allison remembers fondly.
“He was breaking chains that day,” she says, her eyes filling with tears.
Three months later, while driving to Roswell to present evidence for a case he was working, Tom Frazier was killed in a car accident. It was the first line-of-duty death Artesia had ever seen.
Frazier’s death was shocking. No one could really fathom the reality of the news they had received. There were questions, there were tears, there were hugs, and there was an air of confusion and disbelief; but there was also immediate action by Frazier’s fellow officers and first responders.
A grief share group was established almost immediately; Frazier’s fellow firemen, officers, and friends were brought to the Cottonwood Fire Department building by a group of counselors from FLETC to process the sudden, devastating loss. A vehicle escort was set up to transfer Tom’s body back into town, and that was just the beginning. Allison recalls the tremendous support she saw from the community of Artesia:
“Someone stood guard twenty-four hours a day… until he was cremated… I don’t think Brenden Harvey slept for days… and he wasn’t the only one.”
Allison described her husband as unique. She shared stories of his uncommon blend of quiet intelligence and intuitive capabilities coupled with a rich sarcasm that compelled him to prank scam callers any chance he got. He was also unique in his career path of both law enforcement and firefighting.
“Usually, police stick with police and fire stick with fire, and they never really cross the way he did. He was very unique in that way. The fact that these agencies were able to come together… it was amazing and respectful and showed honor to a man who dedicated his life [to serving others].”
Frazier began volunteer firefighting at the age of fifteen in Virginia, eventually earning a paid position in 2003. The very next year, Tom joined the Shenandoah County Sheriff’s department as a volunteer. Soon after, he switched to an official position in law enforcement and returned to firefighting on a volunteer basis. When speaking about his career ambitions and personal drive, Allison reflects on the intrinsic qualities and motivations that drove Tom.
“He was the most intelligent person I’ve ever known,” she says. “He was hard working and dedicated… he wanted to be better.”
The reason I answer calls is because if that was my loved one, I would want someone to answer for them.
Frazier’s drive was not limited simply to career advancement— in a matter of a couple years, he was promoted to the rank of corporal, and eventually joined the CID and ATF divisions as a detective — but, according to his wife, his true joy came in giving back to the community. He was always eager to participate in Shop With A Hero, a community event in which officers take children out on shopping adventures. He also loved to show his police and fire trucks off to the children in the community.
Frazier was an amazing role model for the children of Artesia, an unwavering example, not only of responsibility and hard work, but of grace, compassion, and love. He was also an amazing family man who made sure to carve out special time with his own three kids.
And that, perhaps, is the most heartbreaking reality of a tragedy like this: an eight, six, and four-year-old, who had an amazing, humble servant of a father, who will grow up without him.
Allison shares some of their recent thoughts on their Daddy via notecards:
Camryn (8) — “I loved him with all of my heart. I miss when he would tuck me in at night. He would take us so we could ride our bikes at the station.”
Caden (6) — “I remember Daddy did fire and police work. He also flew a drone. I miss his bedtime hugs and kisses.”
Carter (4) — “I love him… I miss him so much. He used to carry me to bed. He would read me a story; he would kiss and hug me goodnight.”
Few things reflect the weight of a man’s character and influence as clearly as the testimony of his children. Frazier was a fierce defender, an amazing officer and first responder, but he was an even better husband and father. That is his legacy.
Allison and the kids will be flying to Washington D.C on May 11th for National Police Week, just a over a week shy of the anniversary of Frazier’s death. He will be honored alongside the nation’s other fallen officers, a staggering 563 in total. I asked Allison why it was so important for her to go, and she responded without hesitation:
“My husband was very big on respect and traditions and showing pride. I want to do this to honor and respect him. That man lived and breathed his positions with fire and police… I can’t imagine not going. That man meant so much to me. I’m doing it for him, but I’m doing it for me.”
Before we left, Allison shared one of her favorite “Tom stories,” one that perfectly displays who he was and what he stood for. It was Christmas Eve, 2020. The wind was fierce and pushed the temperature to below freezing before the sun had even set. Tom and Allison were pulling up to Harvest Fellowship for our Christmas Eve Service (which, was ironically conducted outside in the freezing wind). As Tom and Allison pulled up to the parking lot, his pager began ringing. It was a fire, and it was bad. Tom looked over at his wife with apologetic eyes, but Allison was furious.
“Don’t go,” she told him.
“I have to,” he answered.
He asked her to drive him back home for his gear and his truck. She refused. He called a friend and left to fight the fire. That night, a family lost a loved one in that very fire.
Later at home that night, Tom explained his decision to his wife: “The reason I answer calls is because if that was my loved one, I would want someone to answer for them. So, I will always answer if I can, because it is that important that someone answers the call.”
Tom dedicated his life to service, regardless of the sacrifice, difficulty, or the person. Tom answered the call, and in doing so, left a lasting legacy in Artesia.
Article written by Zeke Montoya and originally published in Focus on Artesia 2022 Summer edition.
