Honoring

EMT Frederick Whiteside

New York City Fire Department, NY

EOW: Nov. 17, 2023 | Age: 43 | Tour: 22 Years

A veteran FDNY EMT died while working at a Bronx 9-1-1 center Friday. Frederick Whiteside, a 22-year veteran of the department, went into cardiac arrest while on-duty at Public Safety Answering Center 2. “Our hearts are heavy over the loss of EMT Whiteside. With more than two decades of service to the FDNY, he was a dedicated public servant and front-line worker,” Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said in a statement. "With more than two decades of service to the FDNY, he was a dedicated public servant and front-line worker.” Whiteside, 43, joined the department in April 2002 and worked in busy Bronx and Brooklyn units until moving to the dispatch office in 2019, FDNY officials said. “He was a great father, he was my best friend,” EMT Calvin told the New York Post. “He was always saying, ‘I’m just peachy!’” Sunday morning, bunting was hung at the dispatcher center where Whiteside collapsed as colleagues gathered to remember their colleague.

Honoring

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz

United States Department of Homeland Security, Arizona

EOW: Nov. 14, 2023 | Age: 44 | Tour: 13 Years

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz was killed in an ATV crash in Douglas, Arizona, while responding to reports of undocumented immigrants in the area of Chino Road and 5th Street. His ATV left the roadway and struck a utility pole as he drove along International Drive while searching the area at about 7:00 pm. The collision caused the ATV to overturn and he suffered fatal injuries. Border Patrol Agent Ortiz was a U.S. Navy veteran. He had served with the United States Border Patrol for 13 years and was assigned to the Douglas Station, Tucson Sector. He is survived by his mother and stepfather.

Honoring

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley

Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, Texas

EOW: Nov. 13, 2023 | Age: 27 | Tour: None

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley died while helping restrain a combative inmate at the J. Dale Wainwright Unit at 2665 Prison Road 1 in Lovelady. The cause of death is under investigation. Officer Motley had served with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division for over one year. He is survived by his mother and father.

Honoring

Firefighter/Paramedic Brian Herr

Polk County Fire Rescue, Florida

EOW: Nov. 18, 2023 | Age: 41 | Tour: None

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office said the single-car crash happened shortly before 6 a.m. on Saturday between U.S. Highway 27 and Old Grade Road in Polk City. Upon arrival, deputies and the Polk County Fire Rescue found a 2007 gray Toyota Camry engulfed in flames. Authorities confirmed that Herr, who did not survive the incident, was found inside the vehicle after the fire was extinguished. According to PCSO, Herr was driving westward in the inside lane of I-4 and started to shift into the middle lane simultaneously with an unidentified vehicle that was also transitioning from the outside lane. Based on evidence and witness accounts, Herr and an unknown vehicle swerved back into their original lanes without collision. Authorities report that Herr’s car then started hydroplaning and spinning, eventually hitting a cluster of trees in the interstate’s center grass median with its passenger side. Investigators say the Toyota was instantly consumed by flames.