Each and every first responder deserves his own star for the work he performs. When a responder is lost in a line of duty death, it is an honor to be recognized for his lifesaving work. Secretary of State Roger Williams presented the "Star of Texas Award" to Jeff Ferrand after he lost his life serving as an EMT. 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 />
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Jeffery Scott Ferrand, 37, was killed in the line of duty on February 19, 2005. He was the driver of the ambulance that collided with a train while transporting a patient suspected of having a stroke. The rescue vehicle went into a spin after hitting the train, ejecting the two EMTs and the driver before landing in a ditch. Mr. Ferrand died at the scene along with his two partners. The patient survived the accident.<br />
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Mr. Ferrand was an eight-year employee with Pafford EMS. He was a U.S. Army veteran. "He was a good guy, a good emergency medical worker; something had to have happened for him to stop on those tracks," stated a friend. "A third of our crew has been killed in this accident. The co-workers all agreed that the three were dedicated, fun loving, and really liked their work. This is going to take a while to get over," stated a spokesperson for Pafford EMS.<br />
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Honored 2006 |