IN THE LINE OF DUTY: EMS family, city mourns loss of paramedic

Louisville EMS members Erin Spyrka, from left, Erik Meyer and Chris Lokits carry the remains of Columbus Regional Hospital paramedic/EMT Scott Gordon during Gordon’s funeral and memorial service at Columbus Municipal Airport in Columbus, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020. Gordon contracted COVID-19 during his line of work as a paramedic/EMT on a Columbus Regional Health ambulance. He died on Nov. 15 after and eight-day battle with COVID-19. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

The EMS family of Scott Gordon, his coworkers and friends and some whose lives he saved gathered for a final farewell to the EMT/paramedic lost to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On a windswept rainy tarmac near Cummins Aviation at the Columbus Municipal Airport, two Columbus fire trucks displayed a huge American flag over the dais Saturday morning, where co-workers and EMS officials honored Gordon’s legacy to Columbus Regional Health’s ambulance service, and his service in Indianapolis and Fort Wayne.

A Columbus Regional Health ambulance covered in a black shroud was nearby. Columbus and fire department honor guards, along with bagpipers flanked the dais and dozens of Gordon’s co-workers wearing masks huddled together at the front, several weeping and sharing hugs during the ceremony and when the bugler played “Taps.”

Gordon’s funeral came six days after his unexpected death at Columbus Regional Hospital on Nov. 15 at age 56, believed to be the second EMS worker in Indiana to die from complications of COVID-19, and one of 55 who have died so far across the nation.

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He was believed to have been exposed to the virus after his partner on the ambulance also became infected. He is the first CRH employee who has died from COVID-19, hospital officials said. Gordon was working in a supervisory role as shift coordinator for CRH EMS Services, but still providing patient care before his death.

Saturday’s ceremony was livestreamed on Facebook, allowing those who arrived in their vehicles to watch from the tarmac and hear the tributes to Gordon.

Described as a superhero by some, Gordon was remembered for his passion working as a paramedic, and also for training the next generation of EMTs and paramedics, who were asked during the service to carry own Scott’s legacy in their own work to continue his dedication to saving lives.

Melissa Hill, a CRH paramedic who had worked with Gordon for about 15 years, described how Gordon approached onboarding new EMS personnel.

“Through the past 15 years, the thing I will always remember is that he said to me ‘I will always be around to help, all you need to do is ask,’ “ she said.

Describing Gordon as a paramedic’s greatest supporter and most vocal critic, Hill said Gordon taught his student to master the skills necessary to do excellent work. She mentioned a Facebook post by Gordon’s friend Holly Ringer that encapsulated how what Gordon had given to the local community through EMS that would continue through those who will honor his memory by carrying on that work.

“His life exhibits the ripples and interweaving of influence, connection and interaction with others creating exponential growth. His knowledge became our knowledge, and we grew as we passed on the same knowledge in our care of others,” part of the post says.

Grayson Conner, a CRH paramedic, described Gordon as a mentor and a friend, a “genuine, loving, caring person” who had a live and let live attitude.

Conner said Gordon’s exceptional skill, in addition to his paramedic skills, was as an educator, explaining and teaching complex concepts as education coordinator for CRH EMS.

Noting Gordon was an avid hockey fan, Conner said people might not know he also loved labrador retrievers and was actually a fairly accomplished guitar player.

When making dinner on Nov. 15, Conner said he received the call that Gordon had died.

“It broke my heart,” he said. “I will miss you Scott. I am a better person to have known you.”

Kraig Kinney, Indiana EMS director, and representing the Indiana Department of Homeland Security, presented the Gordon family with the Indiana EMS Star of Life designation, and an Indiana state flag, which is given to those serving in EMS who die in the line of duty.

Bartholomew County E911 conducted the final radio call for Gordon, saying “9603 (Gordon) is 10-42, he will be deeply missed.” The radio call 10-42 refers to ending a tour of duty.

An IU Health Lifeline helicopter flew over the dais to honor Gordon, and an American flag was also presented to the family, represented by companion, Diane Hays, after it was displayed during “Taps.”

At the end of the ceremony, a long line of ambulances from all over Indiana, fire trucks, Columbus police and Bartholomew County sheriff cars and other police cars from around the state, turned on their emergency lights and led an ambulance carrying Gordon from the airport to Columbus Regional Hospital on 17th Street and then to the CRH ambulance service headquarters on 27th Street.

Businesses along the procession route had lowered their flags to half staff in memory of Gordon.

At EMS headquarters, mourners carrying white carnations placed them on a tarp near an ambulance in honor of Gordon.

As the procession left the airport, at the first turn, a Columbus police officer held a sign that said “Thank You” as the vehicles passed by.

And further down the procession route, two local residents were holding a sign that said “Goodbye friend.”

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For a gallery of photos from the service honoring EMT/Paramedic Scott Gordon, go to therepublic.com.

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