Thursday, December 23, 2010

** Memorial service held for Indiana EMT/firefighter found dead last week at station

** UK combat medic hailed hero after taking bullet to the head while trying to save Afghan girl

UNITED STATES NEWS

** A public memorial service was held Monday for a Sullivan EMT/firefighter who collapsed and died at his station last Thursday. The Tribune Star (December 18) said the commemoration for Chad L. Null, 33, took place at the Sullivan High School auditorium. Null was found on the floor of his room at the fire department around 11:30 a.m. December 16. He had just finished responding to two medical calls a short time prior. Transported to the community hospital, Null was pronounced dead on arrival. Previously a police officer, Null leaves behind two small children and a wife. Autopsy results have not yet been made public.

UNITED KINGDOM NEWS

** A military medic serving in Afghanistan is being hailed a hero, after taking a bullet to the head in an effort to save an Afghan tot. The Sun (Duncan Larcombe/December 20) said Lance Corporal Craig Murfitt, 25, whose helmet absorbed the blow, was shot after he hesitated to fire on a Taliban using a little girl as a human shield. Though knocked off his feet when the bullet hit, Murfitt was only dazed when the shrapnel failed to penetrate his headgear. A young father himself, he said he did not shoot because he feared he might inadvertently strike the girl. Murfitt’s superiors in the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment said Murfitt’s actions showed courageous restraint. Once hit, however, fellow soldiers opened up on and killed the insurgent. The little girl, meanwhile, managed to flee to safety.