Honorees

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Year Honored
2000
Honoree
Stephen G Richey
Agency
Forsyth Rescue Squad
Agency City
Winston-Salem
Agency State
NC
Last Call
9/25/84
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
"Richey was one of the finest men I ever worked with in rescue," said Dr. Lew W. Stringer, chief of Forsyth County Medical Examiner.<br /> <br /> Steve Richey was killed on September 25, 1984, in a daring rescue attempt of a construction worker trapped on top of a water tower. He was aboard a helicopter that backed into one of the legs of the water tank, knocking off its rear rotor, and spun to the ground killing both Richey and its pilot.<br /> <br /> Richey was a 13-year member of the Forsyth Rescue Squad, serving as a paramedic and an E.M.T. IV. Steve was the training instructor for North Carolina State Rescue College and for his squad.<br /> <br /> Mr. Richey had been honored as "squadsman of the year," for his work in 1981-82, and was chosen to be honored posthumously for the award in 1984. "This is the honor that Steve would have cherished most, being honored by the men and women with whom he worked with daily in rescue," said a rescue squad spokesman. He was also honored by resolutions from the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners, and the Kernersville Board of Alderman for his work on the incident in which he died.<br /> <br /> Stephen Gray Richey, 33, is survived by his wife, Jo Richey.<br /> <br /> Honored 2000