Honorees

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Year Honored
2001
Honoree
Keith W Knight
Agency
Acadian Ambu/Air Med Services
Agency City
Lake Charles
Agency State
LA
Last Call
5/20/99
Cause of Death
Ambulance Involved MVC
Biography
If we could somehow explain to those who watched the procession go by.<br /> To those who called from around the country to offer condolences.<br /> That our friend was not simply another emergency responder who fell in the line of duty. <br /> That he was someone's husband, someone's daddy, someone's son, someone's brother,<br /> That he was someone's friend and that he was so greatly loved. . . .<br /> <br /> Keith Knight, 32, lost his life when an 18-wheeler struck the ambulance on Highway 12 near Ragley, Louisiana on May 20, 1999. The ambulance driver was attempting to make a U-turn on the roadway when the vehicle was struck in the side by the truck. Knight was ejected from the ambulance and died at the scene. The driver of the ambulance was airlifted to Lake Charles Memorial Hospital in critical condition.<br /> <br /> Mr. Knight, a life-long resident of DeRidder, Louisiana, was a paramedic for the Acadian Ambulance and Air Med Services. He served as a board member of the Louisiana State Fire Chiefs Association and was a member of the Southwest Louisiana Mutual Aid. Keith served as Fire Chief of Beauregard Parish District 1 up to the time of his death. He was Acadian's first ground paramedic to die in an accident in the company's 27-year existence. Keith was an ACLS, BLS and EMT instructor, and was often a guest instructor for Louisiana State University's Fire School.<br /> <br /> Keith Knight is survived by his wife Barbara Sue, a daughter Amanda LeTendre, a son Jarred, grandson James Andrew LeTendre, his parents Mark and Louise Knight, sister Vester Mae Wood, and brother, Steve Lee Knight.<br /> <br /> Honored 2001