Category: Honoree

Robert Vetter, 62, died of an apparent heart attack on May 27, 2017, within a few hours of making multiple emergency calls involving stressful and strenuous activities during a very busy shift.

“Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand. It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterward remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave. A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.”

\— Remember, Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894)

Lahiri Garcia, 51, of Jupiter, died alongside his partner, Paul Besaw, when their ambulance crashed on Indiantown Road, just west of Military Trail on June 1, 2017.

Witnesses said the crash occurred when a car made a U-turn, hitting the ambulance as it was returning to quarters from a transport mission.

Garcia was a 23-year veteran of EMS who was known by colleagues to always have a smile on his face. He was also known to be a knowledgeable and exemplary first responder.

Paul Besaw, 36, of Weston, Florida, died in the line-of-duty when alongside his partner when their ambulance crashed on Indiantown Road, just west of Military Trail on June 1, 2017.

Witnesses said the ambulance crash occurred when a car made an illegal U-turn, hitting the ambulance that Paul and his partner, Lahiri Garci, were staffing. They had been returning to quarters from a transport mission.

Colleagues said that Paul was a model first responder. He was an 18-year veteran of EMS known for mentoring new medical technicians and would answer their questions and calls no matter the time of night.

Paul started volunteering at the hospital when he was in middle school — he knew he wanted to help people. When he turned 18, he became an Emergency Medical Technician and then later a paramedic. Paul was finishing his Bachelors of Nursing at the time of his death. He was a proud father and loving husband. He is missed dearly by his family and friends.

Michael Murphy, 37, of Franklinville, New Jersey, died in the line-of-duty May 25, 2017, when his air medical helicopter crashed during a training exercise in New Castle, Delaware.

At the time of his death, Michael was awaiting the birth of his son, Jamey Michael, that he already referred to as his “baby boy.” His family described him as intensely driven and full of personality. He enjoyed flying, trucks, his boxer and making people laugh.

During his diverse 12-year career in aviation, he was known as a “tenacious professional” who worked tirelessly to achieve the best in himself and everyone he touched.

Robin Dale Shaw, 57, of Abilene, Texas, died in the line-of-duty April 28, 2017, when the air ambulance he piloted crashed shortly after takeoff. The crew was responding to a call to pick up a patient in Clovis, New Mexico.

Robin was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a Gold Seal Certified Flight Instructor. He was inducted into the 2013 Federal Aviation Administration Airmen Certification Database.

Robin’s first Emergency Medical Services job was at Rico Aviation. Robin was noted for his involvement and affection for the patient and the medical crews.

Family and coworkers said that he was like a father-figure to the crews, flying his “kids,” as he called them.

Robin was also involved in the training of new pilots and had a passion for building his own aircraft in his spare time.

Mark Harris, 55, died May 13, 2017, after he succumbed to a certified World Trade Center illness he sustained in the line-of-duty.

Mark developed cancer as a result of serving this Nation in response to the rescue and recovery of the thousands of Americans who fell at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, New York, Tuesday, September 11, 2001, after four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States.

While stationed at Staten Island Station 23 the morning of September 11, 2001, Mark began hearing reports that a plane had struck the World Trade Center. He and his crew arrived in time to see the first tower fall. As he ran towards the destruction, he became trapped but was able to dig his way out.

He went on to spend hours that day rescuing and treating survivors and eventually took command of a triage station within the rubble.

In 2010, after 27 years with FDNY, Mark retired to Florida where he worked at Delray Medical Center as the EMS Liaison.

Misty Dawn Nicholson, 42, of, died in the line-of-duty April 28, 2017, alongside two of her colleagues when their air ambulance crashed shortly after takeoff from Amarillo, Texas. The crew was responding to a call to pick up a patient in Clovis, New Mexico.

Misty received her paramedic certification in 1995 from Amarillo College and her ADN from Excelsior College in 2006. She worked for Cook Children’s Hospital in Ft. Worth, OU Medical Center in Oklahoma City and then Lifeshare Transplant Donor Services of Oklahoma City.

It was at Lifeshare that Misty developed a passion for organ donation. She moved to Amarillo and worked for Northwest Texas Hospital and Rico Aviation.

Misty was passionate about anything in the medical field from teaching to taking care of her patients. She enjoyed being a flight paramedic. Misty enjoyed time with her daughter, London, and being at the family ranch surrounded by her family and friends.

Scott Allan Riola, 29, of Amarillo, Texas, died in the line-of-duty April 28, 2017, when the air ambulance he was aboard crashed shortly after takeoff. The crew was responding to a call to pick up a patient in Clovis, New Mexico.

Scott graduated from C.H. Yoe High School and Tarleton State University with a Bachelors of Animal Science in 2009. In 2011, he decided to become a nurse and graduated from Amarillo College in 2013 with an ADN. In 2015, he obtained his BSN degree online from the University of Texas Arlington.

Scott continued to build his resume to become a flight nurse by obtaining his Emergency Medical Technician certification and working in emergency departments; including NWTHS in Amarillo (2016-2017), Maine Medical Center, Midcoast Hospital in Maine (2014-2016), and Seton Williamson in Round Rock (2013-2014).

Scott married his high school sweetheart, Melissa Limmer, in 2010. Flying for Rico Aviation was his “dream job”, and he quickly earned a reputation as a passionate team player.

Mario Bastidas, 55, died April 1, 2017, after he succumbed to a certified World Trade Center illness he contracted in the line-of-duty.

Mario developed cancer as a result of serving this Nation in response to the rescue and recovery of the thousands of Americans who fell at the World Trade Center in Manhattan, New York City, New York on Tuesday, September 11, 2001, after four coordinated terrorist attacks on the United States.

Mario served the city of New York for 26 years as a paramedic at the Brooklyn’s Battalion 31 and then as a Lieutenant Paramedic for the New York City Fire Department’s Emergency Medical Services Command at Brooklyn’s Battalion 58

He was not only a hero to his community and a true American Hero, but also a family man.