Columbia County EMT dies in line of duty

COPAKE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- A first responder in Copake died in the line of duty last week, the Columbia County Rescue Squad reported. Steven Walsh, an emergency medical technician with the Copake Rescue Squad and a firefighter with the A.B. Shaw Fire Company, died from a heart attack while on a 24-hour EMT shift on November 16. He was 60 years old.

Walsh previously served as a pilot and flight engineer in the Air National Guard's 105th Airlift Wing in Newburgh from 1992 to 2001, engaging in missions during both wartime and peacetime. He was in the process of training to become a certified Advanced EMT with the Regional Emergency Medical Organization (REMO).

His REMO instructors issued a statement on his passing, saying "Steve was a one-of-a-kind student who showed a true passion for EMS and his community. He did what he loved every day, was kind, always early for class like he was for his shifts, looked out for his classmates, and had a positive attitude every session. As the first student to join our course, we knew he was excited to become more involved as a field provider at the ALS level, learn all he could, and continue to develop his knowledge and skills. We already miss all the stories he would share with us every week, and most importantly, we, his instructors and classmates, miss his warm presence in our classroom. His memory and service will live on."

Walsh is survived by his wife and son. Calling hours will be held at the Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, located at 110 Green Street in Hudson on November 24 from noon to 4 p.m.