The National EMS Memorial Tree of Life on Display at the Stafford County Public Safety Center honors two Stafford EMS providers who lost their lives while trying to help others.
Here’s more in a press release:
Stafford County Fire and Rescue is hosting a display of five panels from the National EMS Memorial’s Tree of Life, the iconic symbol honoring EMS providers who gave their lives in the line of duty.
The panels, which represent five years of the Tree of Life’s 23 panels (one for each year from 1993-2015), can be viewed from Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, at the Office of Public Safety, 1225 Courthouse Road in Stafford, Va. Mark Lockhart, NRP Stafford County Fire Chief said. “I wish we didn’t have to have it, but it speaks to the inherent dangers in providing patient care. These folks all made the ultimate sacrifice caring for their fellow citizens.”
Two Stafford EMS providers are recognized on these panels. Israel, (Izzy) Rodriguez, Rockhill Volunteer Rescue Squad was answering a call on January 28, 1998 to assist accident victims during a rain storm when his ambulance left the road and struck a tree.
On March 16, 2001, Joseph “Neal” Sherman died as a result of an ambulance crash while he was working with the Loudoun-Fairfax Ambulance Service of Sterling VA. Neal was also an EMT for Aquia Harbour Rescue Squad and Firefighter for Stafford Volunteer Fire Department, Company 2.
The National EMS Memorial is composed of the Tree of Life and the Memorial Book. The Tree of Life is a representation of an oak tree, symbolizing strength. The name, agency and date of loss of each National EMS Memorial Service honoree is engraved on a bronze oak leaf, which is then added to the Tree of Life.
The Memorial Book contains a page for each National EMS Memorial Service honoree. These pages contain photos, biographies and agency patches for each individual honored. The Memorial Book is kept on display near the Tree of Life.
