Starke County EMS Director James Garner released a statement this week thanking the community for all of the support during this difficult time.
The life of EMT and firefighter Michael Wilcox, Jr. was lost in an accident August 5 while responding to a call in Starke County. Paramedic Brandy Salita was injured in the accident.
Garner stated, “Thank you on behalf of Starke County EMS to all who have contacted us, assisted with 911 coverage, lent a helping hand, and sent a kind word, prayer or thought in our time of crisis. It shows how amazing our community is, and how close-knit and how far the emergency responder network reaches.
“On August 5, 2023 while responding to a call, we had a devastating tragedy in our EMS/Fire family. We lost a great man, husband, father, friend, EMT, and firefighter to a tragic accident. Our hearts are broken, while another great paramedic, mother, and friend has been released from the hospital and will require a lot of healing time. Please keep her in your prayers. On behalf of Starke County EMS, I would like to thank everyone for your involvement.”
A Rose Ride in memory of fallen EMT and Firefighter Michael Wilcox, Jr. is planned for Wednesday, August 16 with the line-up at 4:30 p.m. CT at Tierney Park in San Pierre.
All riders of motorcycles and vehicles will drop a single rose near the memorial ambulance at the Starke County EMS Station No. 3 at 1102 S. Main Street in Knox in honor of Wilcox, his family and brothers and sisters in public safety.
A gathering of family, friends, co-workers and emergency responders for Michael Wilcox Jr., of North Judson, is Saturday, August 19 at 2:30 p.m. CT at the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary Gymnasium in North Judson. A procession will begin at 2 p.m. CT with lineup at 12:30 p.m. CT at Tierney Park in San Pierre. The escorted route will start at the San Pierre Fire Department and proceed north on U.S. 421 to State Road 10 where it will continue east on State Road 10 to the North Judson-San Pierre Elementary School where the ceremony will begin at 2:30 p.m. CT. Residents are welcome to stand along the route in support of the Wilcox family.
Memorial contributions may be made to the San Pierre Volunteer Fire Department or to Starke County EMS.
