| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 1997 | |
| Honoree | |
| Melvin R Neil | |
| Agency | |
| District of Columbia Fire & EMS Dept | |
| Agency City | |
| Washington | |
| Agency State | |
| DC | |
| Last Call | |
| 12/25/96 | |
| Cause of Death | |
| On-duty Cardiac | |
| Biography | |
| Melvin Neil was attending to his duties as Captain and Chief of Paramedic Supervisors on Christmas morning, December 25, 1996 when he suffered a fatal heart attack. Although his fellow paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians performed CPR on him until he reached the hospital, he did not recover. Melvin Neil was only 45 at the time of his death.<br /> <br /> Melvin, born on May 1, 1951 in Daisytown, Pennsylvania, joined the United States Navy in 1970 and served until March 1974 as a Navy Corpsman. Settling in the Washington area in January 1975, Melvin joined the District of Columbia Fire Department and became a paramedic. During the following 21 years of dedicated service, he received the department's Medal of Valor, rose to the rank of Captain/Chief Supervisor and earned a place on the National Registry of Paramedics.<br /> <br /> In addition to his work as a paramedic, he enjoyed umpiring softball games. He also was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police.<br /> <br /> Melvin is remembered by his wife, Patricia, his two daughters, Melissa Harris and Monica James; with their families, David, Amber and Davey Harris; Mark and Anthony James; and Mel's mother, Ethel Neil.<br /> <br /> Honored 1997 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
