Honorees

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Year Honored
2009
Honoree
Edward C. Sanneman
Agency
Northwest Texas Healthcare Lifestar
Agency City
Amarillo
Agency State
TX
Last Call
3/10/00
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
Edward was a great student, quality human being and was deeply empathetic with his patients. He really understood what it was like to be a patient. He would follow up with them later on to see how they were doing.<br /> <br /> Edward Sanneman lost his life in the line of duty on March 10, 2000. The medical helicopter was transporting a four-month-old girl with breathing problems from a remote Oklahoma town. It crashed shortly after taking off, killing the baby and the three-person crew. It is uncertain whether they hit power lines or had a mechanical failure.<br /> <br /> "Ed was a pilot for three years with Northwest Texas Health. His professionalism was the "common denominator" between all of the combinations of paramedic and nurse crews who fly aboard the rescue helicopters," Chief Paramedic Lemons stated.<br /> <br /> "Ed was known as the person who kept all the headstrong people in the group on an even keel. He got to deal with all the combinations of personalities and he was the best," Lemons said.<br /> <br /> "He said that should his life end he would prefer it be doing something that he loved. He was a good, safe pilot, and took great pride in the fact that he did something that made a real difference in people's lives. Ed is going to be missed greatly.<br /> <br /> Honored 2009