EMS Memorial Procession Route Begins in Redding, CA, Honoring 37 Fallen First Responders

A solemn tribute is making its way across the nation, honoring the emergency medical services (EMS) professionals who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others. Among those honored will be local flight nurse Susan “Suzie” Smith from REACH Air Medical Services (REACH 5) based in Redding, who passed away on October 10, 2025 as a result of an air medical accident on Highway 50 in Sacramento.

The National EMS Memorial Service’s annual procession begins June 1 in Redding, Calif. and will culminate in Arlington, Va. on July 19. The procession will make 32 stops in 24 states, including Redding, to remember 37 EMS professionals who died in the line of duty in 2025.

On Monday, June 1, the Moving Honors procession will begin its cross-country journey at the SHIELD Training Center at 4300 Caterpillar Road in Redding. The event marks the start of the route and serves as one of the many stops along the 9,000-mile journey to Arlington where fallen EMS providers will be honored as part of the National EMS Memorial Service and Weekend of Honor.

“It is an honor for REACH to host the kickoff of the Moving Honors procession, a powerful tribute to EMS professionals whose service and sacrifice will never be forgotten,” said Sean Russell, Pacific Region president for Global Medical Response (GMR), REACH’s parent company. “This procession brings us together in remembrance and respect, honoring lives dedicated to caring for others. Today, we also recognize REACH flight nurse Susie Smith, whose compassion and commitment left a lasting impact on the Redding community. Through Moving Honors, we ensure her legacy, and the legacy of all we’ve lost, endures within our EMS family.”

At the heart of the journey is a specially wrapped ambulance carrying the Tree of Life—this year’s installment of the memorial bearing the names of those lost. Built by EMS volunteers, the Tree is transported with reverence and remains sealed until its unveiling at the national service. A replica Tree of Life will be on display at each stop, offering communities a space to pause, reflect, and honor lives of service.

These fallen heroes are not just names, they are fathers, mothers, sons and daughters. They are the ones who leave their homes, families and safety behind to answer the call, never knowing that their work would cost them their lives.

One of the Moving Honors representatives supporting this year’s procession is American Medical Response paramedic Megan Haverkamp, now in her sixth year with the crew. What began as a one-time request to drive an ambulance from Texas to Virginia has become a deeply personal tradition. Haverkamp now helps escort the Tree of Life alongside “Chief Ted E Bear,” a comfort companion who helps children of fallen EMS providers cope with loss.

“Each stop serves as a powerful reminder to honor those we’ve lost and to reassure families and colleagues that their loved ones are never forgotten,” Haverkamp said. “I’m moved every year by how people show up for one another, coming together in solidarity and support, regardless of whether they had a personal connection.” 

REACH would like to thank Shasta Regional Medical Center, Cal-Fire, Redding Fire Department, Redding Police Department, California Highway Patrol, Sacramento Fire Department, Dignity Health Services, and the members of SHIELD for their support and participation in this meaningful event.

“This tribute exists because of the nationwide commitment of our EMS partners and the continued generosity of supporters like Global Medical Response,” said Jana Williams, National EMS Memorial Service president. “The collective willingness to honor our fallen providers and support their loved ones speaks volumes about the heart of the EMS community.” 

Background
The National EMS Memorial Service, founded in 1991, is a volunteer-driven organization funded solely by donors to honor fallen EMS providers and support their families and colleagues. It is the congressionally sanctioned entity that bestows the highest honor in EMS to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. While a permanent national memorial is still in development, a new panel is constructed each year and added to the Tree of Life, a temporary memorial, which continues to grow and honor those lost in the line of duty.

The Moving Honors procession not only brings awareness and additional homage to the honorees but also provides a space for the public to pay respect and send messages of hope to families and EMS professionals. The REMEMBERship program is a unique way to sustain the mission of the NEMSMS, offering a simple way to donate and keep the legacy of fallen heroes alive.

2026 National EMS Memorial Services Honorees

• Salih Abdur-Rahman, 46, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 10/29/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Scott Adams, 46, Milton-Washington Township Volunteer Fire Department, Milton, IN, died in the line of duty on 04/25/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Stephen “Batman” Anderson, 53, North State Medical Transport, Raleigh, NC, died in the line of duty on 09/21/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Amanda Benson, 25, CSI Aviation, Albuquerque, NM, died in the line of duty on 08/05/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Jacob Bozeman, 20, American Medical Response, Tappahannock, VA, died in the line of duty on 03/20/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• David Burke, 61, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 07/31/2025 as a result of the WTC illness.
• Michael “Mike” Campbell, 48, Lawrence County Emergency Medical Services, Coal Grove, OH, died in the line of duty on 09/08/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Kameilia “Kami” Chavez, 38, CSI Aviation, Albuquerque, NM, died in the line of duty on 08/05/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Everett Edwards, 84, Clarks Fork Valley EMS, Bridger, MT, died in the line of duty on 06/24/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Donald “DJ” Ellis, 57, Guardian Flight, Ketchikan, AK, died in the line of duty on 06/27/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Wesley England, 41, Nelson County EMS, Bardstown, KY, died in the line of duty on 06/02/2025 as result of a medical event.
• Adam Loren Finseth, 40, Burnsville Fire Department, Burnsville, MN, died in the line of duty on 02/18/2024 as a result of a traumatic injury.
• Pamela Hehn, 61, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 03/03/2025 as a result of the WTC illness.
• Graham Hoffman, 29, Kansas City Fire Department, Kansas City, MO, died in the line of duty on 04/27/2025 as a result of a traumatic injury.
• Mary Jolly, 27, Gaston County EMS, Gaston, NC, died in the line of duty on 11/17/2025 as a result of being struck by a vehicle.
• Jeff Jones, 55, Woodward County EMS, Woodward, OK, died in the line of duty on 09/11/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Fred Kemp, 52, Washington County – Johnson City EMS & Rescue, Johnson City, TN, died in the line of duty on 10/22/2025 as a result of a high angle fall.
• Jakob Kindt, 37, University of Mississippi Medical Center AirCare, Columbus, MS, died in the line of duty on 03/10/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Brenna Kulikowski, 31, Timber Mesa Fire & Medical District, Show Low, AZ, died in the line of duty on 09/14/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Justin Lauppe, 37, Butler County EMS, El Dorado, KS, died in the line of duty on 05/16/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Nick Mancuso, 37, CSI Aviation, Albuquerque, NM, died in the line of duty on 08/05/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Sarah McCarthy, 48, St. Charles County Ambulance District, Saint Peters, MO, died in the line of duty on 12/09/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• James McGee IV, 54, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 12/12/2025 as a result of the WTC illness.
• Robert “Bob” Miller, 56, Phoenix Paramedic Solutions, Lafayette, IN, died in the line of duty on 10/09/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Larry Nuckols, 53, Jay County EMS, Portland, IN, died in the line of duty on 01/10/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Skye Oraczewski, 22, North State Medical Transport, Raleigh, NC, died in the line of duty on 09/21/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Dustin Pope, 36, University of Mississippi Medical Center AirCare, Columbus, MS, died in the line of duty on 03/10/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Kevin Robert, 55, LifeNet of New York, New York, NY, died in the line of duty on 08/27/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Stephen Scott, 62, Houston Fire Department, Houston, TX, died in the line of duty on 09/17/2025 as a result of a medical event.
• Michael Skody Jr., 68, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 08/05/2025 as a result of the WTC illness.
• Roy Smith, 60, Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department, Staunton, IN, died in the line of duty on 04/05/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Susan “Suzie” Smith, 67, REACH Air Medical Services, Redding, CA, died in the line of duty on 10/10/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Damon Thompson, 21, Timber Mesa Fire & Medical District, Show Low, AZ, died in the line of duty on 09/14/2025 as a result of a vehicular accident.
• Jeffrey “Jeff” Tuning, 66, CSI Aviation, Albuquerque, NM, died in the line of duty on 08/05/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Calvin “Ski” Wesolowski, 62, University of Mississippi Medical Center AirCare, Columbus, MS, died in the line of duty on 03/10/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.
• Frederick Whiteside, 43, Fire Department of New York (FDNY), Brooklyn, NY, died in the line of duty on 11/17/2023 as a result of the WTC illness.
• Allan Williams, 55, Vanderbilt LifeFlight, Nashville, TN, died in the line of duty on 11/08/2025 as a result of an air medical accident.