An open letter to all Louisville EMS Employees

February 3, 1983
2230 hours

It is with a great deal of sorrow that I pass along the news of Ricky Vinzant's death this evening. He died at approximately 10:25 PM at University Hospital after suffering a heart attack. He will be missed!

Ricky and Brad Learn were out together this evening for supper when they backed-up Mike Ohlemacher and Dave Morgan at the scene of a shooting. While in the unit, at the scene, Ricky went into cardiac arrest. CPR was started, and he was rushed to University Hospital. Our thanks go out to Louisville Police Department officers who assisted our personnel by driving the unit and in various other roles. Our thanks to Mike, Dave, Brad and Dr. Ackerman for their efforts.

Ricky's vital signs came and went, but the end came about an hour after it all started. Dave, Mike, Brad and I were at University when Ricky finally found peace. As the word spread, and others began to migrate to University, we all agreed through our grief that this is how he would have wanted it.

His family has been notified, and final arrangements will be made over the next few days. We will be sure to let you all know the details as they unfold.

Ricky Vinzant was young at heart, and loved to live life at its fullest. I am sure that he would want all of us to remember the good times now ... and remember his as the "free spirit" that he was.

We all wish him Godspeed.

/s/ Richard N. Bartlett
Director of Emergency Medical Services
City of Louisville

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Copyright © 1983 City of Louisville Department of Emergency Medical Services.