Honorees

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Year Honored
2006
Honoree
Christopher Dale Clingan
Agency
Pafford EMS
Agency City
Hope
Agency State
AR
Last Call
2/19/05
Cause of Death
Ambulance Involved MVC
Biography
Each and every first responder deserves their own star for the work they perform. When a first responder is lost in a line of duty death, it is an honor to be recognized for their life saving work. Secretary of State Roger Williams posthumously presented the "Star of Texas Award" to Chris Clingan. Representative Williams stated, "Texas is a land filled with heroes, but none are more heroic than our first responders. They are among our greatest heroes, they sacrifice their lives to ensure that the promise of our great nation will be fulfilled."<br /> <br /> Christopher Dale Clingan, 23, was killed in the line of duty on February 19, 2005. Mr. Clingan lost his life when the ambulance in which he was a passenger collided with a train. The crash sent the rescue vehicle into a spin, ejecting the two medics and the driver before landing in a ditch. Chris was taken to the Texarkana Hospital where he died later on that day. Mr. Clingan was seated in the back of the rescue vehicle assisting his patient. He was one of 3 emergency workers killed in the accident. The patient survived the accident.<br /> <br /> Chris was a resident of Texarkana, Texas. He was employed as an emergency medical worker for Pafford EMS in Hope, Arkansas. He had also been employed with Nevada County Ambulance Service and International Paper, and was a volunteer with the Liberty Eylau Fire Department. Chris had worked with the Pafford Agency only eight months at the time of his death. He was a member of CASA and the International Registry of Paramedics and EMTs.<br /> <br /> Honored 2006