Honorees

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Year Honored
1998
Honoree
Israel Rodriguez
Agency
Rock Hill Volunteer Rescue Squad
Agency City
Ruby
Agency State
VA
Last Call
1/28/98
Cause of Death
Ambulance Involved MVC
Biography
On January 28, 1998 while answering a call to assist accident victims during a rain storm, Israel Rodriguez's ambulance left the road and struck a tree."Izzy" as he was affectionately called did not survive the crash.<br /> <br /> Izzy, a former Marine and a native of Chicago, had been a sergeant with the Rockhill Volunteer Rescue Squad for almost four years. He stayed in Virginia after his military tour because of the squad. E. A."Slim" Manthey, chief of the Rockville Volunteer Rescue Squad stated that, "He couldn't get enough of it. He was doing what he loved." Izzy was an EMT - Cardiac. He was a member of the Rockhill Squad Board of Directors, PEMSTEP, PALS, ACLS, BTLS and a good friend. He was a CPR Instructor. He also served as an adviser to younger squad members. He showed a special interest in young people. He was described as a fun-loving person who never complained.<br /> <br /> Services for "Izzy" were held at Quantico National Cemetery where seven riflemen fired a 21 -gun salute, a bugler played "Taps" as a member of his former platoon presented Melanie, his widow, with the flag. INOVA Fairfax Hospital's Air Care helicopter flew overhead in memory of Izzy who had been an orthopedic technician at the hospital.<br /> <br /> President Clinton and Hillary Rodham Clinton sent a message mourning the loss of Izzy stating, "We will remember his devotion to his duty and to his fellow citizens." The Rockhill Squad members honored Izzy by wearing matching sweaters printed with his name, date of death and "A Fallen Hero." Izzy was 27 years old.<br /> <br /> Honored 1998