| Year Honored | |
|---|---|
| 2009 | |
| Honoree | |
| Charles Jerpe | |
| Agency | |
| Mountain LifeFlight | |
| Agency City | |
| Susanville | |
| Agency State | |
| CA | |
| Last Call | |
| 1/27/03 | |
| Cause of Death | |
| Medical Aviation Accident | |
| Biography | |
| Chuck is gone but not forgotten. He will live on in the hearts of hundreds of people who never knew his name. He has flown his last mission. A fallen comrade, he courageously battled numerous surgeries, infections and internal injuries until he finally lost his heroic fight over ten months after the crash.<br /> <br /> Chuck Jerpe, 47, was killed in the line of duty on January 27, 2003. He lost his year-long fight for life after being involved in a helicopter crash in March 2002. He was the medic on board Mountain Life Flight 3 that crashed into Honey Lake outside of Susanville, California. The pilot was killed instantly. Chuck clung to his life for nearly two hours in the cold shallow waters over a mile from shore. He was rescued from the icy waters and flown to a trauma center in Reno, Nevada.<br /> <br /> Jerpe was a 15-year paramedic and a fireman for the state of California. He was employed by Mountain Life Flight for nine years. "Chuck will long be remembered for his valuable service and experience in his career," stated a spokesperson for Mountain Life Flight. He was a true hero.<br /> <br /> Chuck was a devoted family man and his wife, Barbara, stayed by his side throughout his year of pain. He was a man who helped many people and he fought a brave battle.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009 |
The United States Official National EMS Memorial Service
