The Colorado Court of Appeals’ decision to reverse the convictions of two former Aurora Fire Rescue paramedics in the death of Elijah McClain has reignited debate across the EMS profession.
While the ruling addressed the legal questions surrounding the criminal case, many EMS professionals say it does not change the broader lessons raised by McClain’s death. Readers shared a wide range of perspectives on accountability, clinical judgment, patient advocacy, ketamine administration and the growing legal risks facing EMS providers.
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The responses offer a snapshot into how EMS professionals are grappling with one of the most consequential cases in recent memory. Have a comment to add? Share below.
“While I don’t believe the medics caused the death, they certainly contributed to it. If you are going to charge the medics, every police officer involved needs the same charges and conviction.”
“At the end of the day, McClain was the patient. That means those medics were there to serve McClain, NOT the cops. They failed to advocate for their patient and should never work in EMS again.”
“They should be judged by a jury of their peers, and as a former Colorado licensed paramedic, I’d have convicted these two in a millisecond based on all the evidence in this case. I followed it, they should spend a long time in jail.”
“As someone who used to be in law enforcement, I always train my new EMS providers that we don’t work for them, and we aren’t them. We MUST do an independent assessment and decide what is medically best for what is now our patient.”
“Once we arrive on the scene it is OUR job and profession that takes over for patient care. It does not matter what the police tell you. They have their job and we have ours.”
“Reassessment and aftercare of a chemically sedated patient is a must! Can’t excuse away that poor behavior and practice.”
“EMS should never function as an extension of law enforcement. Paramedics are not there to make police custody easier; they are there to treat the patient. That means asking hard questions, challenging assumptions and protecting the person in front of them, even when that person is handcuffed, restrained or being described by police as a problem.”
“I am disappointed by the reversal, not because I want punishment for punishment’s sake, but because Elijah McClain has still not received true justice. He did nothing wrong.”
“Always be an advocate for your patients, regardless of what other agencies say to you. Assess every patient the same way and treat them based on your assessment. It’s that simple.”
“This case forces current working paramedics to remember their license, their duty and their obligation to the patient. Law enforcement may control the scene, but EMS is responsible for the care. That distinction matters and, in this case, it may have mattered enough to save a life.”
