By Carolyn P. Smith
Belleville News-Democrat
Copyright 2008 Belleville News-Democrat
BELLEVILLE, Ill. — A 23-year-old emergency medical technician who was shot last week while transporting a gunshot victim to the hospital said Wednesday the violent episode won’t prevent him from returning to the work he loves.
Patrick Bierman and his co-worker, Lydia Cravens, were among 16 emergency workers honored Wednesday during the Illinois Department of Public Health’s 21st Annual Emergency Service Awards.
Director Damon T. Arnold recognized the pair for “their heroic acts of courage.” “Emergency workers put their lives on the line everyday and deserve our recognition,” Arnold said. The 16 were nominated by police, firefighters, paramedics and others emergency workers from throughout the state.
Bierman, who was released from the hospital Tuesday, said he is thankful and blessed to be alive.
Bierman was shot May 19 during an ambush on Interstate 64 in East St. Louis as he and Cravens were transporting one of two brothers wounded in a Washington Park shooting. As the ambulance approached the 25th Street exit, a red Grand Am pulled alongside and open fire, striking it seven times.
Bierman said he didn’t notice the car when it pulled up, but he did hear the loud popping of gunshots.
“My driver’s window shattered,” he said. “The gunman fired bullets all the way down the ambulance. I ducked and slammed on the brakes.”
Bierman was struck twice.
“The bullets punctured my lung,” he said. “It was full of blood. I couldn’t breathe.”
He called Cravens his hero, and said her quick-thinking in taking over the wheel and rushing to Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital is the first big step that saved his life.
Bierman said the care he received from the emergency room staff at Kenneth Hall Hospital was excellent and he can’t say enough about it. “They were awesome.” He said he also received excellent care from the nurses and doctors at St. Louis University Hospital. “I owe them a lot, too,” he said.
Meanwhile, Illinois State Police Lt. Mark Bramlett said police questioned a man arrested on Wednesday after a traffic stop who was on a list of people they wanted to talk to about the shooting or other shootings that occurred in the area that night. The man will not be charged in the shooting, Bramlett said.
Doctors were able to remove one of the bullets that struck Bierman, but couldn’t take the second out.
“It was fragmented,” he said. “One piece was too close to my heart.”
Bierman said he will be recuperating for between six to eight weeks. He plans to return to work as soon as doctors say he is medically ready.
MedStar is hosting a golf benefit June 13 at the Prairies in Cahokia to help Bierman pay his medical bills. For additional information, call the MedStar office in Belleville, 233-2383.
Bierman, who is still in quite a bit of pain, said all of the phone calls, letters and support he’s received is making the recovery process bearable.
“I want to thank all of my supporters, those who prayed for me sent flowers or made phone calls, thank you,” he said.
Bierman graduated last Saturday from Northern Illinois University with a degree in sports medicine. He said his ultimate goal is to become a doctor. His mother, a former emergency medical services coordinator in Carbondale “inspired me,” he said.
Bierman said he is pleased that MedStar co-owner Charles Kelley is taking steps to make things safer for emergency medical services personnel. But when calls come in from Washington Park, East St. Louis, Cahokia, Alorton or Centreville, and Bierman is on duty, “I will go, as long as the scene is safe,” he said.
“I love helping people.”