CALGARY -- Hundreds of Calgary paramedics gathered Saturday at the regimental office of 15 Field Ambulance to reflect on the life of Cpl. Michael Starker, killed this week in Afghanistan.
The emergency responders took time out of their busy shifts to stop by and sign a book of condolences to the family of their fallen colleague, a full-time paramedic and reservist medic who was killed last Tuesday in a Taliban ambush while on foot patrol in Afghanistan's Zhari district.
Paramedic Derrick Butler worked with Starker when he first joined Calgary EMS about two years ago and will remember him as being able to boost others when they were down.
"There's one word that best describes him -- it's stellar," said Butler. "He's an all-around good guy -- he treated everyone with respect."
Butler said supporting one another and Starker's family by gathering together to sign the book of condolences felt like the right thing to do during a time of profound sadness.
"In times like these we have to unite, whether you knew the fellow or not," he said. "We all wear a uniform."
EMS spokesman Stuart Brideaux agreed writing a message to Starker's family helps the staff mourn a loss that has touched them all.
"We are feeling very distraught ... it's devastating and nothing less."
The continuous show of support by paramedics lining up all day to sign the book illustrates the impact Starker had on so many people, said Lt. Tara Sawchuk of Edmonton-based 15 Field Ambulance, which has an office in Calgary.
"A lot of people knew him and loved him and you couldn't help but love the guy," Sawchuk said.
Starker, 36, is the fourth Calgarian and 83rd Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan.
A public funeral for the fallen reservist and former paratrooper will be held in Calgary at a time and place that's not yet been disclosed.
Capt. Peter Fuerbringer of the Canadian military said those details will be determined by Starker's family.
A repatriation ceremony was held Friday at CFB Trenton, Ont., with Starker becoming the second Calgary soldier to officially travel the Highway of Heroes, a stretch of Highway 401 between the base and Toronto.
--The Canadian Press
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