Michael Clarke, 27, died after being found unconscious by his co-workers early Monday morning in St. Peters, Missouri.
St. Charles County Ambulance District
Missouri authorities are mourning the death of a 27-year-old paramedic.
Michael Clarke was working on the advanced life support unit at Station 12 in St. Peters on Monday, October 14, when an emergency call came in shortly before 7 a.m. local time, according to a Facebook statement from the St. Charles County Ambulance. District (SCCAD).
“When Clarke did not show up to the ambulance to respond to the call, his partner found him unresponsive in one of the rooms at the station,” officials said.
His partner and other paramedics “immediately began CPR and other life-saving measures, which continued at Barnes St. Peters Hospital after transport,” officials said, adding that “despite their valiant efforts, he did not survive.”
Clarke’s cause of death has not yet been revealed.
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A two-year veteran of the ambulance service, Clarke was known for his “affable nature” and colleagues said he “brought positive energy to the station every shift”.
“Michael embodied each of our values, but perhaps the greatest was compassion: his kindness put patients at ease and earned him the respect of his colleagues and community health partners,” said Kelly Cope, head of SCCAD. “This loss is profound and we appreciate the support of our community during this difficult time. »
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Earlier this year, Clarke and two other colleagues were recognized by a patient and the SCCAD board of directors for their lifesaving efforts during a cardiac arrest call.
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Clarke’s funeral arrangements are pending and “will be communicated in accordance with the family’s wishes,” according to SCCAD.
They added: “Our paramedic association, honor guard and leadership team will work closely with his loved ones to be of assistance to them as they navigate this loss.”
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