COLUMBUS, Ind. — 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 CRH 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.
Gordon is 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 there and hear the tributes to Gordon.
For more on this story and more photos, see Sunday’s Republic.
