BEL AIR, Md. — Forest Hill resident Richard Etheridge sat on a Jersey barrier across South Hickory Avenue from the Bel Air Volunteer Fire Company’s main fire station Saturday afternoon, watching as uniformed fire and EMS personnel, along with civilians, from throughout Central Maryland streamed into the station to pay their respects to the late Capt. Erik Steciak.
Capt. Steciak, 29, was a volunteer captain with the West Friendship Volunteer Fire Department, and he was a paid paramedic with Bel Air. He died in the line of duty Jan. 6 while working at the scene of an auto accident off Patterson Mill Road.
Etheridge, 45, who was waiting for a friend who is a chaplain with the Baltimore City Fire Department to arrive, noted Capt. Steciak treated him for chest pains a few months ago.
Read full story: Hundreds attend Bel Air viewing for fallen paramedic Saturday