Friday, June 12, 2009

** Oklahoma state trooper involved in paramedic dust-up suspended

** Delaware ambulance station dedicated in deceased medic’s memory

UNITED STATES NEWS

** Pending the outcome of an internal affairs investigation, the Oklahoma state trooper involved in a May 24 dust up with a paramedic has been placed on leave. That is the word from the Tulsa World (Manny Gamallo/June 11) which said the paid suspension went into effect June 1. Police spokesman Capt. Chris West said Daniel Martin was not being disciplined by the move. However, West did not explain why Martin remained on the job for a full week after the alleged assault. The news of the suspension also comes mere days after the Okfuskee County District Attorney indicated no charges would be forthcoming from the incident. According to published accounts, Martin placed Creek Nation paramedic Maurice White Jr. in a choke hold, after the ambulance failed to yield to the cruiser car. Martin said he became enraged after the driver of the ambulance did not give way while he was in pursuit of a stolen vehicle. His ire was allegedly further raised when the practitioner gave him the finger. White was the attending medic at the time.

** Flags in Sussex County, Delaware will be lowered to half mast June 17 in honour of deceased medic Stephanie Callaway. Delmarva Now (June 10) said Callaway, who died last year on the same date in a line of duty ambulance crash, remains the sole LODD in the 20 years Sussex County EMS has been in operation. Along with the building bearing her name, a plaque will also be awarded to her family. Callaway, 31, perished during a lights and sirens call involving the transport of a nursing home patient to Beebe Medical Center in Lewes. She was attending in the rear of the cab at the time. She is survived by her husband Steve and two young children.