| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 2001 | |
| Honoree | |
| James S Barnett, Jr. | |
| Agency | |
| Spirit of Kansas City Life Flight | |
| Agency City | |
| Lone Jack | |
| Agency State | |
| MO | |
| Last Call | |
| 5/27/93 | |
| Cause of Death | |
| Medical Aviation Accident | |
| Biography | |
| "If anything, he was overly cautious. If he sensed any problem, he'd just ground the chopper," said his mother.<br /> <br /> Mr. Barnett, age 40, was a veteran helicopter pilot of twenty years with a spotless record, and had logged over 5000 hours of flight time. Barnett joined the Army and took his training at the United States Army Aviation Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama. He graduated with honors and received his wings and Warrant Officer I rating from the United States Army in 1976. He was so skilled that after graduation he was sent directly to Korea working as V.I.P. pilot flying generals over Korea. James Jr. was obsessed with safety, so he furthered his education at a helicopter maintenance school in Texas. He was a safety inspector for the Federal Aviation Administration. He flew helicopters for oilrigs in the Gulf of Mexico before joining Rocky Mountain Helicopters and contracted to the Spirit of Kansas City Life Flight out of St Luke's Hospital in Kansas City.<br /> <br /> The flight undertaken to save the life of another ended up taking two lives in a Kansas City Life Flight helicopter crash. James S. Barnett, Jr. had earlier left Bethany Hospital with a trauma patient and crew of two aboard en route to a Kansas City Metro Hospital. The helicopter crashed into a cornfield northwest of Cameron, Missouri May 27, 1993. James Jr. was pronounced dead on the scene from massive chest injuries. The patient was also dead. The flight nurse and respiratory therapist were hospitalized with major injuries.<br /> <br /> Mr. Barnett loved to fly and he loved helping others. It was his joy to be able to join his two loves in his work as a Life Flight Pilot. He was not boastful or pompous of these daily deeds of heroism. Instead, he was a gentle and humble man who cared deeply about his family, friends and co-workers. Jim, Jr. had a great deal of respect for the staff who flew onboard with him and for the persons who took over after he flew his patients to safety.<br /> <br /> His wife Juya Barnett, daughter Mia Barnett, son Jesse Barnett, his parents James and Wanda Barnett, sister Pam Barnett, niece Whitney and nephew Jacob survive James S. Barnett Jr.<br /> <br /> Honored 2001 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
