TUCSON, Ariz. — A memorial scholarship established to honor a fallen EMT reached a milestone as its first recipient graduated from the Golder Ranch Fire District Academy.
Edwin Gallegos became the first student to earn EMT certification and complete firefighter training through the Jacob Dindinger Memorial Scholarship at Pima Community College, KVOA reported.
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On April 16, Jacob Dindinger’s mother, Corrine Dindinger, joined families and members of the Golder Ranch community to celebrate Gallegos’ achievement and recognize Jacob’s legacy of service.
“Jacob’s dream is similar to many people’s dream, and that’s why they all can relate to him, that’s what I hear many times from people,” Dindinger’s mother said. “He is actually rooting for every single one of us in this building, I just know that’s exactly what he would be doing.”
Jacob Dindinger, was one of two AMR EMTs wounded in a July 18, 2021, shooting, KOLD reported. He died on July 29, according to AMR of Southern Arizona.
Dindinger had been shot in the head while he and his partner were sitting in their ambulance at the Quincie Douglas Center at Silverlake Park. His partner was shot in the arm and chest. The two EMTs had been staged at the scene during a shooting and house fire near South Campbell Avenue and East Irene Vista.
Authorities said the suspect, Leslie Stephen Scarlett, was shot by a police officer and later died.
The scholarship continues to support aspiring first responders in Southern Arizona who share Jacob Dindinger’s commitment to serving their community.
