Honorees Announced for the 2007 National EMS Memorial Service

EMSResponder.com News

ROANOKE, Va. -- Sixteen EMS providers who gave the ultimate sacrifice will be honored at the 15th annual National EMS Memorial Service here on May 26.

The ceremony will begin at 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Roanoke.

The families of the fallen heroes are presented with a white rose, signifying undying love. They also receive a medallion with the provider's name and date of sacrifice; and an American flag that was flown over the U.S. Capitol.

Since the first memorial service, 334 EMS personnel have been honored. Each hero's name also is engraved on a gold oak leaf and hung on a tree. Last year, the leaves were displayed on a board. Although there is currently no permanent EMS memorial on display, efforts are underway to establish one.

Those who will be remembered this year are:

  • John Buchner of City of Scranton FD Ambulance, Scranton, Pa. who died in the line of duty on Nov. 4, 1981 of injuries sustained when struck by a vehicle at the scene of a call.

  • Larry Doughton Crouse of Alleghany Co. EMS, Sparta, N.C. who died in the line of duty on Dec. 31, 2005 after suffering a cardiac arrest while on duty.

  • Eric Collin Hanson of Marble Falls Area EMS, Marble Falls, TX who died in the line of duty on Oct. 10, 2006 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision..

  • Doreen Renee Johnson of Air Evac Services of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ who died in the line of duty on Dec. 14, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Karl August Kolb of Med Flight Air Ambulance, Albuquerque, NM who died in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Kristopher John Lamphere of Med Flight Air Ambulance, Albuquerque, NM who died in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Erin Leah Eachus Reed of Airlift Northwest, Seattle, WA who died in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2005 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Deborah Reeve of New York City Fire Department EMS, Bronx, NY who died in the line of duty on March 15, 2006 of complications from toxic exposure suffered while on duty at the scene of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

  • Jeremy Douglas Rodecap of Middletown/Fall Creek TWP EMS, Middletown, IN who died in the line of duty on Dec. 3, 2005 succumbing to injuries received in a fall while responding to a call.

  • Stephen Moore Smith of Airlift Northwest, Seattle, WA who died in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2005 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Joseph "Joe" Donald Snow of Montgomery County EMS, Clarksville, TN who died in the line of duty on May 28, 2006 attempting to reach a victim during a flood water rescue.

  • Lois Reiko Suzuki of Airlift Northwest, Seattle, WA who died in the line of duty on Sept. 29, 2005 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Marco E. Villalobos of Med Flight Air Ambulance, Albuquerque, NM who died in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Donald L. Womble of Med Flight Air Ambulance, Albuquerque, NM who died in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Laura Ann Womble of Med Flight Air Ambulance, Albuquerque, NM who died in the line of duty on Oct. 24, 2004 of injuries received in a medical aviation accident.

  • Karen A. Woods of University LifeLink, Aurora, CO who died in the line of duty on May 9, 2006 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision.