Tupper Lake Rescue Squad mourns death of one of its own

Firefighters stand under the American flag during a memorial procession of EMS and Fire Apparatuses progress through Chateaugay for fallen EMT/ Firefighter Jonathan “Thunder” Damon on Saturday, April 25. Damon's Final call April 22, 2020, Rest In Peace, we will take it from here. (photo by Phyllis Larabie)

by Phyllis Larabie

(photo by Lisa Keegan)

The members of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad mourn the passing of AEMT Critical Care Technician (AEMT-CC) and Firefighter Jonathan “Thunder” Damon on Thursday evening April 23, 2020.

EMT Damon took his final call on Wednesday evening, April 22, at 11:25pm. Jonathan contacted his driver Wesley Hoyt at 9:08a.m. on Thursday morning, April 23, saying he needed him there now and to get the Saranac Lake squad headed over. He said he was experiencing a medical episode and needed help. Mr. Hoyt called 911.

Mr. Damon was the duty tech on to cover the Village and Town of Tupper Lake at the time. Tupper Lake Rescue Squad was able to quickly get a crew together to transport him to AMC and were able to link up with Saranac Lake Rescue Squad for ALS (Advanced Life Support). He was then flown by North Country Life Flight to UVMC in Vermont Trauma Center were he underwent surgery for an aortic dissection.

Jonathan is the first member in the history of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad to die in the line of duty. His death is considered a line of duty death because he had been on a call within 24 hours of his death.

Jon was hired in November of 2014 and usually covered Wednesday evenings 6p.m. to Friday mornings, 6a.m. He became a huge part of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad family. He was always there to lend a hand in teaching the members and encouraging some members into taking the course to become an EMT. He always had a smile and his joking ways kept things upbeat. He quickly became friends with all the members and his co-workers.

In the six years of his service he has touched the lives of so many people. Thunder was a true hero. Not only because of the countless lives he saved but for the knowledge he passed on to aspiring EMTs.

Josh Clement, one Tupper Lake EMT, posted on his Facebook page “I've now walked beside a handful of people who are heroes and who have shaped the Firefighter/EMT I am today. Jon Damon was one of them. Jon was one of the most kind-hearted, most real person you would ever meet. Over the last three years I've ran probably up to 60 calls with Jon. He is the reason I become an EMT”.

Mr. Damon was a member of multiple agencies, besides Tupper Lake he was a firefighter/AEMT for Brushton Volunteer Fire Department, AEMT-CC at Malone EMS, AEMT-CC at Saranac Lake Volunteer Rescue Squad, Moria Volunteer Fire and Rescue and Chateaugay Fire Department.

Burke Fire Department posted on their Facebook page: “Franklin County has lost an outstanding EMT way too soon. Heaven gained another angel last night. Thunder, as most people know him by, was a great asset to have in the back of any ambulance. Thunder really enjoyed working in the EMS field doing what he does best. Thunder would do anything for anyone, even if he didn't know them. Rest in peace brother, you will be greatly missed and we'll do our best to take over from here.”

Chateaugay Fire Company posted: “This is such a huge loss to the fire and EMS communities of Franklin County. Jonathan 'Thunder' Damon it was such a pleasure to serve with you in the short time you were a member of the Chateaugay Fire Company. You were such a positive person. I’m glad I had the pleasure of knowing you. Rest In Peace brother. We’ll take it from here”.

The Tupper Lake Rescue Squad sent two trucks and about 25 members to attended a procession of EMS, fire apparatus, police and countless personal vehicles was held on Saturday, April 25 in Chateaugay to escort EMT/ Firefighter Damon home.

Jon was born August 20, 1981. He was 38. He leaves behind his fiance, Lindsey Legacy, whom Jon was excited to marry in September; four children: Gabriel, Jenson, Kaylene and Wyatt Andrew, two step-children Wyatt Daniel and Simon; his parents Margene and Stephen Damon, a sister, Stephanie Fish and a brother Dave Damon. A full obituary appears in today's paper.

Mark Picerno, chief of maintenance of the Tupper Lake Rescue Squad stated, “He's touched the lives of so many, and he will be greatly missed!”

Mark said “the community is currently working to get Mr. Damon's name added to the public safety officers' memorial wall.”

A plaque with the following will be mounted on the wall of the agencies that Jon was a part of:

His hands touched the warmth of life, His hands touched the icy emptiness of death, His hands felt the numbing pain of the sick and injured, His hands soothed their petrifying fears, His hands desperately grabbed for life slipping away, His hands felt anger at senseless death, His hands searched for answers, His hands saw comfort in another’s eyes from an outreached hand, His hands found happiness in living, His hands found joy in helping others, His hands passionately held onto the hope that they never have to do it again, His hands lived with the reality they would, His hands made a difference.

Tupper Lake Rescue Squad asks that you keep Jon, his family, friends and all his EMS/Firefighter brothers and sisters in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.