Honorees

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Year Honored
2012
Honoree
Christopher 'Chris' Frakes
Title
Flight Paramedic
Agency
LifeNet-St. Joseph
Agency City
St. Joseph
Agency State
MO
Last Call
8/26/11
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Chris was a graduate of Union Star High School and earned his paramedic certification at the Grand River Vocational Technical School. After school, Chris found work with the Chillicothe Fire Department where he worked as a firemedic. While still employed at Chillicothe, he started work with Heartland Paramedics. His coworkers said of Chris, "He had a love of the job; he was very interested in learning more about doing his job and always kept up on training." It was this love for the job that brought him to flight and his interest in learning that brought him to teach. He started with LifeNet in 2006.<br /> While working at Heartland and LifeNet, Chris often helped his partner Randy Bever teach. Chris taught many EMS and fire service courses throughout Northwest Missouri.<br /> <br /> Chris enjoyed softball and his family. He spent much of his time with his fianc?e, daughter, and stepdaughters preparing for their upcoming wedding. Chris was described by a friend as "awesome." "He was kindhearted, would do anything for anybody, and was very intelligent." Chris developed close-knit bonds with everyone he worked with, both on and off the clock.<br /> <br /> On the night of August 26, 2011 Chris, age 36, and his fellow crewmembers were on a flight transporting a patient from Bethany, Missouri to Liberty, Missouri. About 7pm, the Eurocopter AS-350 known as LifeNet 2-2 crashed in a field about 20 miles northeast of Kansas City. There were no survivors.<br /> <br /> In his 11 years of experience, Chris gave his all to comfort those in need and he saved countless lives. He performed his duty by choice, knowing it had risk, but he bravely took to the sky in order to save lives. He died a true hero, and his sacrifice will not be forgotten.<br /> <br /> Honored 2012