Honorees

← Back to directory

Year Honored
2008
Honoree
Robert D Heighton
Agency
South Walton Fire Department
Agency City
Santa Rosa Beach
Agency State
FL
Last Call
10/20/04
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
He was just naturally funny; he could make you laugh at the drop of a hat. He was someone you always wanted around. He was funny until it came to his work. Being a paramedic was important to Robert, and he knew the importance of his skills. He was good at those skills, and made a difference in many lives.<br /> <br /> Robert D. Heighton, 45, of Gulf Breeze, was killed in the line of duty on October 20, 2004. He was part of a three-person medical team en route to DeFuniak Springs, to fly a critically ill heart patient to a Pensacola hospital. The pilot encountered bad weather and had turned the helicopter around and headed back to base. The helicopter was reported missing; it was later found crashed in the Choctawhatchee Bay.<br /> <br /> Heighton was a two-year paramedic employee for the South Fire District. The South Walton Fire District staffed a paramedic spot on the helicopter through a joint air medical service agreement with the Sacred Heart Health System.<br /> <br /> "It is a loss to our service, to the hospital and to our community. Mr. Heighton was a highly trained individual who worked well with all people," stated a co-worker.<br /> <br /> Honored 2008