Line-of-Duty Deaths
This page honors those EMS professionals who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Each tribute recognizes the individuals who dedicated themselves to patient care and public service. We extend our sincere condolences to their families, colleagues and communities. For additional support and remembrance, visit the National EMS Memorial.
Social distancing creates unique challenges for honoring first responders and supporting their families
NAEMT President Matt Zavadsky: Keep the pressure on Congress to ensure EMS personnel are covered in all applicable COVID-19 provisions
Remembering our brother and sister EMTs and paramedics who died from COVID-19
An investigation into the 2016 fatal shooting of John Ulmschneider found responders were not warned of the possibility of guns on scene
Officials said West Tennessee Healthcare paramedic Zachary Pruitt and patient Nyema Jackson were ejected from the ambulance after it struck a rock wall
MedFlight flight paramedic Mark Potter, 28, was found dead of an unknown cause
Nicole Van Heel, 34, died of a pulmonary embolism, a complication from a stroke she suffered in June
Officials said Portsmouth Ambulance Service paramedic Jennifer Cross was part of a crew responding to a call when their ambulance collided with another vehicle
Crozer-Keystone Health System EMS Chief Robert Reeder suffered a cardiac arrest while on duty Saturday at a charity event at Talen Energy Stadium
Gulf County Fire and Emergency Services firefighter-paramedic Brad Price was helping family members clear debris when a tree fell on the tractor he was using
Officials said EMS Maj. Tommy McNeill suffered a “serious medical event” while leading a wilderness search and rescue training session
Firefighter Zachary J. Fazekas, 19, had been with the department for two years
“This is not about us. It’s about the people that we lost and it’s about raising awareness and getting money for a memorial,” EMT Keith Wesley said
Paint Creek Joint EMS and Fire District firefighter Joe Patterson was fatally injured while working with compressed air cylinders
Juan Bucio was remembered as a man of few words who preferred to let his heroic work do the talking
A funeral for Juan Bucio will be held Monday at Saint Rita Cascia, a church known for hosting first responder services
Juan Bucio’s family members said his devotion to his job was unquestioned
Juan J. Bucio, 46, became separated from his partner while trying to rescue someone from the Chicago River
North Beach Volunteer Fire Department Rescue Captain Patricia Osburn, an 18-year EMS veteran, died while on duty
The National EMS Memorial Service Board is requesting that agencies observe 10 to 30 seconds of radio silence on May 19
Rico Caruso, Klint Mitchell and Greg Rosenthal were killed when the Ascension Wisconsin Spirit helicopter crashed on its way back to its base
Steven Werner was killed when an ambulance crashed into a semi-tractor trailer that had stopped on a bridge for construction
The three people killed were all flight crew members; no patients were on board
Decatur County Fire and Rescue firefighter-EMT Adam Taylor, 30, went into cardiac arrest shortly after going home due to chest pains
The Greenlawn Fire Department said they lost one of the best, most experienced professionals they have after Kent Stillwagon died
Madison Fire Department firefighter-paramedic Richard Garner collapsed suddenly shortly after his shift ended
The crash killed James Wesley, who was driving the ambulance, and Larry Marshall Jr., who was being transported from a dialysis appointment
Officials said the patient that was being transported in the ambulance also died in the crash after the driver of the ambulance lost control
Hollywood Fire Rescue engineer and paramedic Daryel Richards, a 22-year fire veteran, was set to retire this year
The measure means that the spouses of first responders who died in the line of duty will have their property taxes reduced by one half
American Medical Response regional director Scott White said EMS attendant Garry Johns was a quiet, but personable employee
Nevada Highway Patrol said the driver of the AMR ambulance lost control while driving on a slick ramp
Steven Terry was a firefighter-paramedic for almost 25 years, as well as a 20-year veteran of the Army National Guard