LEONARDTOWN, Md. — Dozens of first responders were honored with the Maryland Star of Life Award during the St. Mary’s County Commissioners meeting on July 22, 2025, in recognition of their lifesaving actions during a serious crash in Mechanicsville. The commendation honors individuals who demonstrated extraordinary skill and dedication during a medical emergency in November 2024 that ultimately saved the life of a teenager involved in the crash.
On the night of Nov. 6, 2024, a 16-year-old male was critically injured after his vehicle left the roadway and struck a tree in rural Mechanicsville. Off-duty member of the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department T.J. Faunce and off-duty member of the Mechanicsville Rescue Squad Jimmy Breeden were among the first to respond, applying direct pressure to the teen’s wounds and initiating a medevac request with the Maryland State Police before EMS arrived.
Shortly thereafter, crews from Mechanicsville and Hughesville, along with paramedics from St. Mary’s County EMS, worked rapidly to extricate the unconscious teen from the vehicle and provide trauma care. Maryland State Police Aviation’s Trooper 7 administered whole blood during transport to the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. The teen regained consciousness in the ambulance and began a long road to recovery.
“Rural communities in Maryland depend on the dedication of highly skilled first responders, in conjunction with coordinated efforts of fire, EMS and aviation. This allows for immediate lifesaving treatment as well as expedited transport of critically injured patients to trauma centers,” said Jenna Guzman, communications director for St. Mary’s County Government, during the ceremony. “This call accentuates the vital role of all partners within the Maryland EMS system.”
The Maryland Star of Life Award, presented annually by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS), recognizes exceptional emergency medical care and heroism under pressure. County commissioners issued official certificates to the recipients, honoring their actions.
The recipients recognized for their roles in the Nov. 6 incident are:
- TFC Zach Saylor, Maryland State Police Aviation
- TFC Alex Calabro, Maryland State Police Aviation
- Jon Morris, Maryland State Police Aviation
- Manuel Franquez, Maryland State Police Aviation
- Heather Forest, paramedic supervisor
- Amy Miller, paramedic
- Allison Mason, paramedic intern
- Brian Bowen, EMT
- Ashley Corley, EMT
- Kaleigh Moore, EMT
- Bethany Higgs, EMT
- Mark Trowbridge, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Bill Hemming, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Callen Thompson, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Landon Johnson, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Delontaye Herbert, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Keith Hemming, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- T.J. Faunce, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Ryan Raley, Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department
- Jimmy Breeden, Mechanicsville Rescue Squad
- Chris Cole, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department
- Rick Feist, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department
- Trevor Simpson, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department
- Todd Connick, Hughesville Volunteer Fire Department
The official certificate issued by the Commissioners of St. Mary’s County, recognizing first responders’ swift and selfless action that contributed to preserving life, reads, in part:
“Your heroic efforts demonstrated exceptional courage and were critical in the chain of survival. You have rightfully earned the community’s sincere gratitude, respect, and admiration.”
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Great Job by ALL