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The recent death of Southwest Mississippi paramedic David Martin is a reminder that the heroes in the face of COVID-19 extends past the emergency room doors of local hospitals.

American Medical Response mourned the death of Martin on social media on Wednesday evening. Although he did not work in Adams County, Martin operated out of the Southwest Mississippi regional office in Natchez.

Tim Houghton, manager of the regional office, summed up the risks and sacrifices emergency repsonders and paramedics are making during the current pandemic.

“William David Martin, Paramedic, gave the ultimate sacrifice. It was not his intent to sacrifice his life for others. It was his job, his career and his way of life,” Houghton wrote. “David answered the call at a time when across the country providers get up every single day and pray for protection.”

Like the AMR staff, we are saddened by Martin’s death and express our condolences to Martin’s family and to Martin’s colleagues.

Martin was one of the many unsung heroes of the current COVID-19 pandemic. His death is a reminder that he and many others risk their lives each and every day not by bending steel or leaping tall buildings — but by just doing what they were hired to do, taught to do and called to do.

In addition to the many doctors, nurses and other health care providers that are battling the disease on the front lines, there are paramedics, nursing home staff, law enforcement officers, grocery store workers and many others who are now risking their health and the health of their families.

We salute Martin and all of the unsung heroes in this current COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you for your service. Thank you for your sacrifice.

Our prayers are with you.