Honorees

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Year Honored
2008
Honoree
John E Stumpff
Agency
Lifeguard Alaska
Agency City
Anchorage
Agency State
AK
Last Call
12/3/07
Cause of Death
Medical Aviation Accident
Biography
There were candle light vigils, prayer lines and people gathered in small groups waiting to hear news of their heroes. They make us humble and without them it would be impossible to live here in this part of Alaska. They are our lifesavers. "You are loved and respected by so many people," wrote a person who's life had been saved by the this medical team. "We loved John; we loved his interaction with his patients, and he had a contagious smile and a deep bellowing laugh. He was such a good fight nurse and very dedicated to his patients," stated a co-worker.<br /> <br /> John Edward Stumpff, 47, of Sterling, was killed in the line of duty on December 3, 2007. John was a flight nurse with Alaska Lifeguard in Anchorage, Alaska, performing rescue and medical transport through Providence Alaska Medical Center. During a patient transport, the helicopter went down in the icy waters of Passage Canal, part of Prince William Sound. John was the only team member found.<br /> <br /> He worked as an emergency room nurse in Orlando and Titusville, Florida, and was retired from the Air Force, where he had worked for 12 years as a paramedic and firefighter.<br /> <br /> He loved riding his Harley Davidson, playing his sax and looking cool. He loved his daughters and they loved him. He was devoted to his family and his job. He had a windmill and he could calculate power trends in machinery. He waited half the night just to see the wind to come and the blades turn for the first time. Every time the wind blows in Alaska, many will think of John and his energy.<br /> <br /> Honored 2008