JEFFERSON COUNTY, Tenn. — Coworkers, past and present, of a paramedic killed on the job said he was a true hero. Jeremy Sutton served as a paramedic for Jefferson County EMS. He was a husband, father, friend, teacher and public servant.
Derrick Layman, the fire chief of the White Pine Volunteer Fire Department, said Sutton worked for the department from the early 1990s to about 2010.
"Everything that you think of as a servant kind of attitude, Jeremy comes to mind," said Layman.
He said even though Sutton no longer worked at the department, he saw him while responding to calls.
"He was always the kind of guy that you like to see on a call — he knew what he was doing. He was very experienced and that he was smart and he wasn't pushy, he wouldn't push that on somebody. But he had a wealth of knowledge but he was a very good guy and it's a tragedy," said Layman.
He said he wanted people to know Sutton was the kind of person who would be there whenever anyone needed him.
"He was a small-town guy, a heart of gold, but he had a servant-type mentality. He would probably give his last meal to somebody else that they would need it, he's that kind of guy," said Layman.
Rodney Satterfield, the Deputy Director of Jefferson County EMS, said Sutton loved to serve his community.
"He spent most of his time whether it was on the clock or volunteering his time, just doing that, just helping those that needed to be helped. Whether it was in the fire service, whether it was in the rescue squad or whether it was being an employee EMS," said Satterfield.
He said Sutton had recently started instructing others to be EMS professionals, before the fatal crash.
"It's gonna leave a great loss — a great impact on not only Jefferson County but to those that knew him professionally, those that knew him personally. It's a tragedy what happened and it's a huge loss to EMS community," said Satterfield.
Another paramedic, Sarah Brooks, was driving the ambulance when it was involved in the crash. She was hurt. Satterfield said he got an update from Sarah Sunday night, and he said she is out of surgery. He also said she and her baby are doing well. He said all her broken bones are repaired. State troopers said the crash is still under investigation, and no one is charged as of Sept. 2.
Funeral arrangements for Sutton were released on Monday. His body will lie in repose on Saturday, Sep. 7 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at the Lakeway Performing Arts Center. A funeral service will take place there at 11 a.m. on Sunday. A burial will follow with emergency service honors at White Pine Cemetery.