COLORADO SPIRNGS, Colo. — The National EMS Memorial Service has announced the names of the 15 individuals from eight states to be honored at the 2015 National EMS Memorial Service.
The individuals being honored join 644 others previously honored by the National EMS Memorial Service. Members of the honoree’s families or EMS Agency are presented with a medallion, symbolizing eternal memory; a U.S. Flag which has flown over the U.S. Capital, symbolizing service to their country; and a white rose, symbolizing their undying love. Each honoree’s name is also engraved on a bronze oak leaf which is added to the “Tree of Life,” at the National EMS Memorial.
The 2015 National EMS Memorial Service will be held Saturday, June 27 at the Pikes Peak Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. The Service is part of the Weekend of Tribute, which begins with the National EMS Memorial Bike Ride-Colorado route, continues with a ceremony at the Air Medical Memorial and concludes with the memorial service in Colorado Springs.
The National EMS Memorial Service was established to remember and honor those emergency medical services personnel who have died in the line of duty.
National EMS Memorial Service 2015 Honorees
Raymond ‘Ray’ Bernard Allison of Sterling County EMS, Sterling City, TX, who died in the line of duty on February 11, 2014 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision.
James ‘Jamie’ Butler of TriState CareFlight, Santa Fe, NM, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2014, of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
David Cavigneaux of TriState CareFlight, Santa Fe, NM, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2014 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Monica Chavez of Elite Medical Transport, El Paso, TX, who died in the line of duty on August 27, 2014 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Erasmus ‘Johan’ van der Colff IV of Air Evac Lifeteam, Duncan OK, who died in the line of duty on October 22, 2014 of injuries sustained in an October 4, 2014 medical aviation accident.
Benjamin J. ‘Jay’ Finney of Sedgwick County EMS, Wichita, KS, who died in the line of duty on October 18, 2004 of a duty related cardiac event.
Gerald ‘Garry’ Hammer of Parkview-LaGrange County EMS, LaGrange, IN, who died in the line of duty on January 31, 2014 of a duty related cardiac event.
Michael Howard of Jewett EMS, Inc, Jewett, TX, who died in the line of duty on September 13, 2014 of cardiac arrest while on a call.
Juan Alfredo ‘Freddy’ Martinez of Elite Medical Transport, El Paso, TX, who died in the line of duty on August 27, 2014 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Dennis Houston Rushing of ASAP Ambulance, Laurel, MS, who died in the line of duty on June 24, 2014 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision.
Rebecca Serkey of TriState CareFlight, Santa Fe, NM, who died in the line of duty on July 17, 2014 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
William ‘Alan’ Smith of ASAP Ambulance, Laurel, MS, who died in the line of duty on June 24, 2014 of injuries sustained in an ambulance involved motor vehicle collision.
Leslie Stewart of Air Evac Lifeteam, Duncan, OK, who died in the line of duty on October 8, 2014 of injuries sustained in an October 4, 2014 medical aviation accident.
Taurean Summers of Elite Medical Transport, El Paso, TX, who died in the line of duty on August 27, 2014 of injuries sustained in a medical aviation accident.
Will Wiita of Coldspring-Excelsior Fire Dept., Kalkaska, MI, who died in the line of duty on September 8, 2014 of a duty related cardiac event.