The Social Network & Community JUST for Firefighters
New York Volunteer Firefighter/EMT Shot, Killed at Medical Scene
FFN - A Cape Vincent, New York man who lived and breathed emergency services was tragically shot and killed by a man he was trying to help Friday night.
Mark Davis, 25, a two-year member of the Cape Vincent Fire Department, was reportedly gunned down by Christopher Burke. Davis and other crew members were attending to Burke when the victim left the room, returning with a rifle, according to news reports.
The crew tried leaving the situation, but two shots rang out, with at least one striking Davis.
Mark Davis, 25, died after being shot by a victim he was attempting to help.
Photo from TI-Rescue.org -- Browse More
"EMTs at the scene fervently attempted life saving measures, and continued these efforts during the ambulance transport to the Samaritan Medical Center in Watertown, NY where he was pronounced deceased," a New York State Police report said. (WWTI Photo Slideshow - News 10 Video)
"Burke became agitated and retrieved a high powered rifle from the bedroom of the residence, police said. As the EMT’s were retreating from the residence, it is alleged that Burke fired two rounds, one at the victim striking and killing him, they said.," state police said. "The suspect then ran from the residence and was tackled and held down by another EMT who was also at the residence."
Davis was a member or employee of several emergency organizations in the area, WWTI reported in a profile of the victim. He was enrolled in a paramedic program at a local college and worked ful time at an ambulance company in Watertown, New York.
The Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service, where Davis was a volunteer since 2007, posted a tribute to him online Saturday.
"He was one of those guys that EMS was what he lived for," Cape Vincent First Assistant Chief William E. Gould II told the Watertown Times,
Burke was arrested and charged with second degree murder, WYSR reports. He was arraigned Saturday morning.
WWTI reported that police were not yet revealing what type of emergency EMS crews were on the scene for.
Cape Vincent is about 90 miles north of Syracuse, near the Canadian border.
Related
Mark Davis, 25, a two-year member of the Cape Vincent Fire Department, was reportedly gunned down by Christopher Burke. Davis and other crew members were attending to Burke when the victim left the room, returning with a rifle, according to news reports.
The crew tried leaving the situation, but two shots rang out, with at least one striking Davis.
Mark Davis, 25, died after being shot by a victim he was attempting to help.
Photo from TI-Rescue.org -- Browse More
"Burke became agitated and retrieved a high powered rifle from the bedroom of the residence, police said. As the EMT’s were retreating from the residence, it is alleged that Burke fired two rounds, one at the victim striking and killing him, they said.," state police said. "The suspect then ran from the residence and was tackled and held down by another EMT who was also at the residence."
Davis was a member or employee of several emergency organizations in the area, WWTI reported in a profile of the victim. He was enrolled in a paramedic program at a local college and worked ful time at an ambulance company in Watertown, New York.
The Thousand Islands Emergency Rescue Service, where Davis was a volunteer since 2007, posted a tribute to him online Saturday.
"He was one of those guys that EMS was what he lived for," Cape Vincent First Assistant Chief William E. Gould II told the Watertown Times,
Burke was arrested and charged with second degree murder, WYSR reports. He was arraigned Saturday morning.
WWTI reported that police were not yet revealing what type of emergency EMS crews were on the scene for.
Cape Vincent is about 90 miles north of Syracuse, near the Canadian border.
Related
- Photo Slideshow of Scene, Victim, Suspect
- Watch the Video Report on News10Now.com
- WWTI: Photo of the Suspect
- Watertown Times: "He loved doing EMS work. He loved helping people"
- WWTI: Cape Vincent man held in EMT's murder
- WWTI: Slain EMS worker "made the ultimate sacrifice"
- WWTI: Disheveled, confused; murder suspect arraigned
- On the Web: Statter 911 - Fire Geezer
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Jim Ryder on
-
Mr Davis is a firefighter in the same county I serve in, he being a member of Cape Vincent FD and I am a member of Adams FD. This has really affected this community as you would expect. We all will be pulling together to support him and his family. This area is very close nit between the Fire, EMS and police agencies as well and I am sure this will bring all agencies even closer and I can see all working closer together from now on.
Mark will be missed by all - James Ryder Captain Engine 1 AFD
-
Permalink Reply by Avery Dale on
-
I have not read any of the news reports but judging from the article on this post it sounds like it may have just been a routine call and the victim was disturbed, drunk, etc. In this line of of work you never know what you are going into because the dispatch reports and the actual call could be complete opposites. It's sad that people in this world are the way they are and that they would even consider doing harm to someone who is there to help them, especially a volunteer who is taking time out of his/her life to respond unarmed to the aid of a stranger. I am a reserve deputy sheriff in my county so if I am on a FD call in my POV I always have a GLOCK 40 and a can of pepper spray within reach. If I am in apparatus I don't carry them but I usually wear my bunker pants which has a pocket knife, a multi-tool spanner and several other tools in my pocket that will make a great projectile while I am running. Rest in peace brother and may god be with you, your family, your station brothers & sisters and may he watch over us who continue to answer the call.
-
Permalink Reply by Joe Zamgulis on
-
Rest in peace. May the comunity come to his family's side and help both them and themselves in this hour of grief.
I wouldn't expect the PD to show up before all EMS calls.
-
Permalink Reply by Greg McLean on
-
Mark was a great friend. I lived with him and his family for 2 yrs and also worked along side Mark on the Ambulance at Cape Vincent Fire Dept and Guilfoyle Ambulance Svc. Mark was a big brother to me. We would hang out together and be best of friends, other times we would fight with each other, typical brotherly love. I introduced him into the Fire and EMS world. When I met Mark he was a cook at Applebee's. He moved to the area from Florida to get away from Gangs and Violence and Finally found his nitch in helping people. Mark joined the Cape Vincent Volunteer fire dept and they put him through EMT School. He then became as volunteer for Thousand Islands Rescue later becoming a paid EMT with Guilfoyle Ambulance in Watertown, NY. Mark definitely found what he loved. He knew that one day he could possibly give his life trying to help someone, knowing this, he continued on to Paramedic school, He was a few weeks away from his level 3 and one year from his Paramedic. He has touched a lot of people's hearts while he was here and now his message is still being sent across America. I cannot tell you guys details about the response to Mr. Burke's residence was for because the wonderful world of HIPPA, still protects Criminals too...However, I will say when that pager went off, it was for a routine medical call. We "dont need" law enforcement for "ROUTINE" medical calls.
Mark is sending a message however, to every emergency service worker. Police, Fire, EMS, Even security workers. Be prepared to make that ultimate sacrifice for those very people that make those 911 calls. Be more careful on what you are getting yourself into. When dispatch gives you information and when you get there and their information is wrong. CALL FOR BACKUP.
I will keep this website informed on when his :-( calling hours will be. Mark will definitely be forever missed, and definitely in my heart forever!
-
Permalink Reply by patricia mccarty on
-
Heaven has another angel. What a tremendous loss for us all. I'm starting to think LEO's should roll on all Fire Rescue calls, scene safety. When F/R is called, it's because something has gone wrong.
Let's face it, as a FF / EMS responder... scene safety and situational awareness with regards to structure, fire development, exposures, evolving tactics with conditions, patient assessment, stabilization, packaging, transporting ... your plate is full. Situations need armed, aware LEO's to monitor the people in and around these scenes, look for any behavior intended to harm responders, and keep folks out of the immediate area for safety concerns. A FF can't do it all.
Often, if the situation is the result of foul play, the perpetrator is still on-scene.
Fire Rescue and Law Enforcement are on the same team- Emergency Response is trying to stabilize situations and return to normal, safe conditions.
My heart goes out to Mark's folks. What a fine guy. Heaven's gain, our loss.
-
-
I agree with Greg ... Law Enforcement doesn't need to STAY on scene for routine medical calls... but I still think they need to roll and assess the scene, then be cleared to leave if it is an innocent medical emergency. Most LEO's are low-key, and can respond with finesse in assessing a situation, but still ready to act if something is haywire. I think it's a matter of training and developing protocol, policy and procedure.
In that situation, it's an EMS call, so the IC would be the senior Fire personnel on scene... they ought to be able to call and report scene is clear and LEO is clear from the area.
These days and times, it's just not a bad idea. I think Fire and LE should be able to work easily together to assess scenes, and work together, or move on to other things with zero friction and drag. Both services are scene stabilization, they just entail different specialty skills. Same battle, different team.
I want to help make things better too... but not at the loss of the life of any of our people to some freakshow wingnut hiding in the shadows. Let the psychologists roll around what their problems are.... I'm not cold, but the point is... none of that brings Mark back.
-
-
Hey Patricia, the only think with Law Enforcement responding to every call to assess the situation is that this is a LARGE area. We dont have the many cops on, if they are tied up with another crime they cannot respond immediately, whenever there is a patrol avail. they are normally 30 mins away. If you want to map out the area on mapquest the zip code is 13618, the patrols base is 13601. You can also find out more info on the scene at www.newzjunky.com
-
-
Hi, Greg.
I read you. Limited resources.
-
-
very tragic that and the police officer in rochester sat 1-31-09 shot for no apperant reason
-
Permalink Reply by Mike Adams on
-
Sad for your loss.
Glad I am still alive.
Reminds me the words of my old EMS Instructor "Scene Security" and one day one of the persons you will be called to a call for will be a friend or family. But sadly we are not immortal. I hope the crew who was with him and responded are doing well! I do hope the being who shot him will find some healing and understand his actions.
Former EMT/Driver - Nome Volunteer. Heh it kept me sane and sober. Even gave me a place to live or live for after losing my job and a close buddies suicide.
Now nights I normally drive cab. Not happy to have to ride Ambulance Cab, but it kept me alive. Prayer for you all.
(hope the below is okay for ya all, I mean well).
P-Glory
What is glory
a memory or
thoughts
or someone else
remembered
but you do not
for what is left
after glory is done?
Is a body dead
one who did all,
just for friends
or unknowns
but not for glory
but out of love
and duty, not
cause it was
asked for
but it was just
it seemed needed
done.
Mike
2007
-
Permalink Reply by Art "ChiefReason" Goodrich on
-
My heart goes out to Mark Davis' family, friends and organizations that he was involved with.
I struggle with "second degree murder charges". I guess that there wasn't "willful intent" on the part of Burke.
I also struggle with security at the scene.
We are seeing more and more of this.
Something HAS to be done for our safety.
Tragic and sad.
TCSS.
Art
-
Permalink Reply by Brenda on
-
This is such a sad thing...My prayers go out to his family and to the members of the departments that he served with...He is in a special place now and each of you now have a guardian angel with you at all times...Take comfort in knowing he died doing something that he loved...Helping others and putting someone else before him...God Bless You All as you deal with this loss.
© 2024 Created by Firefighter Nation WebChief.
Powered by
