2018 National EMS Memorial Service Honoree Robert Vetter
Robert Vetter, 62, died of an apparent heart attack on May 27, 2017, within a few hours of making multiple emergency calls involving stressful and strenuous activities during a very busy shift.
“Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand. It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterward remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave. A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.”
\— Remember, Christina Rossetti (1830 – 1894)
2018 National EMS Memorial Service Honoree Lahiri Garcia
Lahiri Garcia, 51, of Jupiter, died alongside his partner, Paul Besaw, when their ambulance crashed on Indiantown Road, just west of Military Trail on June 1, 2017.
Witnesses said the crash occurred when a car made a U-turn, hitting the ambulance as it was returning to quarters from a transport mission.
Garcia was a 23-year veteran of EMS who was known by colleagues to always have a smile on his face. He was also known to be a knowledgeable and exemplary first responder.
2018 National EMS Memorial Service Honoree Paul Besaw
Paul Besaw, 36, of Weston, Florida, died in the line-of-duty when alongside his partner when their ambulance crashed on Indiantown Road, just west of Military Trail on June 1, 2017.
Witnesses said the ambulance crash occurred when a car made an illegal U-turn, hitting the ambulance that Paul and his partner, Lahiri Garci, were staffing. They had been returning to quarters from a transport mission.
Colleagues said that Paul was a model first responder. He was an 18-year veteran of EMS known for mentoring new medical technicians and would answer their questions and calls no matter the time of night.
Paul started volunteering at the hospital when he was in middle school — he knew he wanted to help people. When he turned 18, he became an Emergency Medical Technician and then later a paramedic. Paul was finishing his Bachelors of Nursing at the time of his death. He was a proud father and loving husband. He is missed dearly by his family and friends.