Welcome to the Civil Air Patrol America 250 series. We will be highlighting American hero members and their service leading up to the America 250 celebration. This is the fourth of that series: Capt. Angel Figueroa of the New York Wing. Catch up on the entire series here.
U.S Air National Guard Tech. Sgt. Angel Figueroa
His desire to serve others began watching the late 1970s-1980s TV show “CHiPs” and wanting to be Ponch, a motorcycle cop played by Erik Estrada.
It grew when he was 9 and riding on the back of a friend’s bike, caught his leg between the spokes and the frame and was rescued by two New York Police Department (NYPD) officers.
“They helped get me unstuck, gave me a ride home in their police car, and put me on their shoulders to carry me up to our home on the 22nd floor,” he recalled.
That desire was planted deeper with a long-forgotten photograph taken during a teenage adventure with cousins in Puerto Rico. Although Civil Air Patrol Capt. Angel Figueroa, commander of the New York Wing’s Orange County Cadet Squadron, didn’t realize it then, his future course was set.
Listening to stories about his family’s military service (they’ve been represented in every major conflict since World War II) planted the seeds for his own military career and the love of service he now shares with others.
A Desire to Serve Others
Growing up in Manhattan and New Jersey, he considered many possible careers: auto mechanic, police officer, the U.S. Air Force, and becoming an astronaut. But what wasn’t on his radar was becoming a CAP leader, mentor, and … hero.
Currently, the vehicle maintenance section supervisor for the 213th Engineering and Installation Squadron at Stewart Air National Guard Base, New York, Figueroa is finishing his dissertation toward a doctorate in criminal justice: homeland security.
He’d always wanted to join the Air Force. But … when talking with the recruiter he confused basic training with the U.S. Air Force Academy and was told his grades weren’t good enough, so he went to college to study criminal justice and became a policeman.
Then-New York Police Department officer Angel Figueroa patrols Times Square.
9/11 and His NYPD Days
In 1995 he became an auxiliary police officer for the NYPD and when his “trial” period was over in 1999, began working a variety of beats in different precincts, the majority at the 41st Precinct in the Bronx.
When the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks happened, he was asleep, having worked late the night before. Family members panicked when he didn’t answer his phone, but one cousin finally got through asking if he was. Confused, Figueroa turned on the news.
“I’m literally watching as the plane’s striking, and the tower’s going down,” he said.
Immediately, he threw on his gear and went into work. Looking out over the city, he realized the plume of smoke was close to where his father worked in Manhattan. Thankfully, his father was safe, but several of the police officers he worked with were not. For the next four months, he worked at Ground Zero assisting with search and recovery.
Then-NYPD officer Angel Figueroa works at Ground Zero in New York City following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
But 9/11 had lasting effects on his initial enthusiasm to live in the city and work patrol. He moved away from the city with his family and, after serving as a street cop for 15 years, became a member of the NYPD ceremonial unit assisting with memorials, funeral services, and making flag presentations to grieving families.
“I fell in love with it. I was honoring those that passed away.”
Figueroa decided to retire from the ceremonial unit in 2023.
“It [started] getting to me because a lot of the funerals were 9/11-related,” he said. “I knew some of them … it could have been me, with my family out there [getting the flag].”
Side-by-side combat images show Tech. Sgt. Angel Figueroa (at right) during a deployment to Afghanistan in 2015, alongside a similar photo of his father in Vietnam in 1967.
Continuing the Family Legacy
Being an airman had stayed in his thoughts over the years. When he initially talked to the recruiter, he wanted to work on vehicles, not fly. In 2008, his wife Ruth convinced him to just stop thinking about it and continue his family’s military legacy.
“I’ve been in the Guard [working on vehicles] going on 18 years now,” he said.
As a member of the National Guard, Figueroa deployed many times. As the NCOIC (non-commissioned officer in charge) of the Engineering and Installation Vehicle Maintenance Section at Al Udeid Air Base, he oversaw the vehicle and equipment assets throughout the Middle East.
Other deployments included Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan; Ali Al Salem and Al Jaber Air Bases, Kuwait; Muwaffaq Salti Air Base, Jordan; and Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates.
His military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal (Act of Courage with Exemplary Bravery), Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border (stationed in a designated combat zone), Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Service Star, and NATO Medal and the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.
Angel Figueroa (seated right) and his cousins dressed in CAP fatigues in Puerto Rico
A Forgotten Photo, a Premonition of the Future
It was while moving to their new home when Figueroa found the photo of his CAP connection.
Although he was never a cadet, as a teenager he did don the uniform, (he thought they were “just fatigues”) to go exploring with his Puerto Rican cousins.
He said he didn’t realize it at the time, but they were cadets in Puerto Rico’s Civil Air Patrol.
“What are the odds?” he asked.
Capt. Angel Figueroa with his daughters, Cadet Lt. Col. Angelina Figueroa (left) and Cynthia (a former cadet first sergeant, now a patron member) in their CAP uniforms.
Leading, Mentoring, and Serving Together
“When we moved, my older daughter Cynthia, [now 22], heard about CAP and wanted to join,” he said. During a squadron visit, when the commander found out Figueroa was in the Guard, he convinced him to become a member too.
His Orange County squadron consists of about 50 members — mostly cadets — and has also included his family.
Cynthia, currently a National Guard senior airman deployed to the Middle East and a patron CAP member, served as the squadron’s cadet first sergeant and cadet chief master sergeant. His wife, a patron member, also serves in the National Guard as a religious affairs apprentice. And his son Angel, 9, often attends meetings and activities since he “can’t wait to join CAP when he turns 12.”
Daughter Angelina (17), a cadet lieutenant colonel, is the squadron’s cadet commander. She says she first joined because her sister did, but the fellowship of the cadets and how they served the community drew her into the program.
As cadet squadron commander, she stresses staying humble through every phase and not being afraid to admit when you're wrong.
“A few words of leadership advice [Dad] gave me is to treat others the way I'd want to be treated, to never give up … and to pursue all I do with excellence.”
Angel Figueroa talks to the cadets about the importance of balance: “I want you to progress in CAP, but your schoolwork is more important. Follow your dreams and excel at everything you do … because no one will just give it to you. And when you fail, pick yourself up and … keep pushing forward.”
He said he truly enjoys mentoring the cadets and teaching them leadership skills, community service, aerospace education, and emergency services — something he knows first-hand.
“CAP is just another step you take to success.”
A Hero and a Lifesaver
While out on patrol Dec. 21, 2017, Figueroa and his partner responded to a call about a man who was bleeding badly.
“A bakery machine had fallen on his arm, and it was cut pretty bad,” he said.
A co-worker had put on a makeshift tourniquet to stop the bleeding, but it wasn’t working, so Figueroa and his partner grabbed a real tourniquet from their patrol car’s medical kit to replace it with.
When EMS came, the man told them he couldn’t feel his hand or fingers. EMS said that meant the tourniquet was doing its job. Afterwards, the ER doctor told Figueroa the man had severed his brachial artery, and their tourniquet saved his arm and his life.
For this act of heroism, Figueroa was later awarded CAP’s Certificate of Recognition for Lifesaving.
And That Other Wish to Become an Astronaut?
His son is expressing an interest in following his dad’s dreams there as well.
At age 14, Figueroa had attended Alabama’s U.S. Space and Rocket Center Space Camp.
“Our team designed space stations and parts. And who knows, perhaps a bolt in our design could possibly be on the space station,” he said. “I’ve been dying to go back all these years, and now my son wants to attend with me.”
Figueroa truly has spent a lifetime of loving what he does — serving and protecting his country and leading his family and his CAP cadets. He is a true American hero.
You Too Can Be Like Capt. Figueroa
As America approaches its 250th birthday, Capt. Figueroa’s story serves as a reminder that leadership is measured not only by accomplishments, but by the commitment to touch the lives of others.
Civil Air Patrol offers the opportunity to lead others, like he has. CAP’s adult members consist of volunteers from all backgrounds, including the military.
To learn more about CAP membership and find a local unit, visit gocivilairpatrol.com.
