Month: September 2003

Posted on

2003 National EMS Memorial Service Honoree William Lawton

Ambulances and fire trucks lined the town of Middletown for the young man who so gallantly waited to become one of them. He worked hard from the age of 12 to work at his calling, that of a rescuer. His final action as an EMT in this town was a CPR call. The person survived his attack. What a way for a person who loved rescue work to say good-bye.

William R. Lawton, 18, Killingworth, Connecticut was killed when the ambulance he was driving was involved in a fiery head-on collision on September 2, 1989. The young EMT was part of a transport team that was returning a patient from a dialysis treatment when a pick-up truck rounded a curve on the wrong side of the road and into the path of the Hunter’s Ambulance. Another team member was killed and a third was critically wounded.

ill was an employee of Hunters Ambulance Service as an EMT. He was a volunteer with Killingworth Ambulance as well as with Killingworth Volunteer Fire Company and Rescue. He was preparing himself to become a professional paramedic and firefighter.

Honored 2003

Posted on

2003 National EMS Memorial Service Honoree Carol Gillooly

Carol Gillooly

“Carol gave her life doing what she loved to do and, out of this tragedy, there comes a painful recognition of the tremendous hazards an EMT faces each time a call is answered,” Mayor Dominique Thornton wrote in her proclamation. “We, the people, acknowledge the dedication and commitment of Emergency Medical Technicians in an honorable profession whereby life and death decisions are made in the course of a day’s work”.

“Carol Gillooly, 30, of Rockfall, Connecticut was killed by a drunk driver on September 2, 1989. Carol and another emergency worker were on a call to transport an elderly patient back to his convalescent home in Colchester. The team was on their way from Middletown, when the ambulance was struck head-on by another vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. On impact, both vehicles became engulfed in flames. All perished for the exception of emergency worker Jose Aguilar, who was disabled after a lengthy rehabilitation.

Mrs. Gillooly lost her life on her last day of orientation before starting regular duty as an EMT for Hunter’s Ambulance, located in Meriden, Connecticut. She was employed in the Physical Therapy Department at the Middlesex Memorial Hospital. Fourteen years later, Ms. Gillooly and EMT Bill Lawton were honored during the Hunter’s Ambulance 14th annual Golf Classic.

“In the City of Middletown, we honor her and remember this fallen comrade,” Mayor Thornton wrote, “On behalf of the citizens of Middletown, I wish to extend to her family our appreciation and gratitude for her services in her young and fair life.””The tournament sent an important message out about drunken driving,” said Carol’s brother, Rich Garboski, “and it keeps her memories alive.

Honored 2003