Honoring

Park Ranger Kevin Melvin Grossheim

United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service, U.S. Government

EOW: Oct. 6, 2024 | Age: 55 | Tour: 31 Years

Park Ranger Kevin Grossheim drowned when his National Park Service boat capsized near Birch Cove Island on Namakan Lake. After receiving a distress call, Ranger Grossheim secured a family of three safely aboard his vessel. Amid rough waters and high winds, his boat overturned. The three family members were able to reach land safely, but Ranger Grossheim went missing. His body was recovered after a three-hour search. Ranger Grossheim had served with the United States Department of the Interior - National Park Service for 31 years and was assigned to the Voyageurs National Park for almost 20 years. He is survived by his wife and cousin.

Honoring

Detective Maurice "Mo" Joseph

Norfolk Police Department, Virginia

EOW: Oct. 9, 2024 | Age: 64 | Tour: 26 Years

Detective Mo Joseph died as the result of cancer that he developed following his volunteer assignment with the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. Forty law enforcement officers from the Norfolk Police Department traveled to New York City on their personal vacation time without pay to volunteer their assistance and support to the on-site emergency agencies. Detective Joseph had served with the Norfolk Police Department for 26 years. He is survived by his wife, three sons, a daughter, and grandchildren.

Honoring

Paramedic James Welsh

Air Evac Lifeteam, Kentucky

EOW: Oct. 7, 2024 | Age: None | Tour: None

The crew killed when an Air Evac Lifeteam helicopter crashed in Owen County Monday evening was identified. Gale Alleman, Bethany Aicken and James Welsh were flying to pick up a patient when the helicopter went down, the Kentucky State Patrol told WCPO.com. The crash was reported near Owen County High School just after 5:30 p.m., according to WLWT.com. Resident Jay Thomas said he heard a thump when the helicopter crashed. "I know there's going to be a lot of sad moments for their family," Thomas told WCPO. "I know friends and family from the community, from the local area, I will be praying for y'all." "Air Evac Lifeteam is heartbroken to share that three crew members from AEL base 133 perished in a helicopter accident in Owenton, Kentucky today," a statement from by the company read. The crew, from the Williamstown, KY, base, was enroute to an incident scene. "This was a terribly tragic accident, and our deepest sympathies go out to the employees’ families and friends," a Air Evac Lifeteam spokesperson said. "Our primary focus now is on supporting the families who were impacted as well as our team members. Critical incident stress management teams have been sent to assist our team members during this difficult time." The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were dispatched to investigate the crash and expect to have preliminary findings withing 30 days.