Honorees

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Year Honored
2005
Honoree
Edward C Neustrom
Agency
Johnson County Med-Act
Agency City
Olathe
Agency State
KS
Last Call
6/18/04
Cause of Death
On-duty Cardiac
Biography
"He had a gruff exterior that dissipated once you got to know him," stated friend and co-worker County Manager Mike Press. "He was a tiger that gave his all; he was fast, he could work hard, then he could turn around and be a kitten - helpful, kind, and ready to mentor a new emergency medical worker," he said.<br /> <br /> Edward C. "Ned" Neustrom, 49, lost his life in the line of duty on June 18, 2004. He had been on a medical call that was extremely difficult; it was a taxing call that put a lot of strain on the body. It was the end of Ned's 24-hour shift. When he did not show up at the business office, his colleagues checked on him. Ned was in full cardiac arrest; all life-saving efforts were attempted. They rushed him to the hospital and he was pronounced dead due to a massive heart attack.<br /> <br /> Mr. Neustrom began his career as an Emergency Medical Technician in 1978 with the Med-Act Department, located in Olathe, Kansas. He received his paramedic certification in 1980, and was promoted to lieutenant in 1984. Ned was instrumental in the founding of today's successful Med-Act. He served on the department's disaster response team, special operations group, and emergency operation group as a training officer. In 2003, he helped launch a partnership between Overland Park Fire Department and Med-Act.<br /> <br /> Honored 2005