[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 132 (Tuesday, September 16, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Page S5621]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      TRIBUTE TO JAMIE MIDDLEBROOK

 Mr. DONNELLY. Mr. President, today I wish to recognize and 
honor the extraordinary service and ultimate sacrifice of New Carlisle, 
IN, Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook. Dedicated, loyal, and above 
all compassionate to those in need, Assistant Chief Middlebrook served 
with the New Carlisle Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years.
  On Tuesday, August 5, 2014, Assistant Chief Middlebrook and 
firefighters from local fire departments battled a massive fire at an 
area business. While advancing a water hose inside the facility, the 
roof of the building collapsed on top of Middlebrook. Despite the best 
efforts of his fellow firefighters, EMTs, and medical personnel, Jamie 
Middlebrook, 41, succumbed to his injuries.
  ``He took me in, he taught me the right way to do things . . . He 
showed me how to be strong, be brave, and be there in somebody's time 
of need,'' said New Carlisle Fire Chief Josh Schweizer of Assistant 
Chief Middlebrook.
  A native of South Bend, IN, Jamie Middlebrook lived in the nearby 
town of New Carlisle. As the son of a firefighter, Middlebrook learned 
the importance of serving his community at an early age, and he 
possessed a servant heart. In addition to Middlebrook's service with 
the New Carlisle Fire Department, he was the assistant chief of the New 
Carlisle EMS. Never shying from the responsibility of serving his 
community, Middlebrook continued to work full time with the New 
Carlisle EMS even after being diagnosed with cancer.
  ``He'd been a paramedic so long that many elderly people in town knew 
him. They would request him by name on medical calls,'' said his 
mother, Carol Middlebrook.
  Assistant Fire Chief Middlebrook is survived and deeply missed by his 
wife Julie, parents Robert and Carol Middlebrook, brother Brook 
Middlebrook, as well as other relatives, friends, the New Carlisle 
Volunteer Fire Department, the New Carlisle EMS family, and Hoosiers 
across the State.
  Assistant Fire Chief Jamie Middlebrook loved his work, and he gave 
his life in service and protection of the citizens of Indiana. Although 
he would have never thought of himself as a hero, Middlebrook 
demonstrated his character daily by conducting himself with courage, 
bravery, compassion, honor, and integrity. Thus, he was a true American 
hero in his everyday life as an EMS worker, a firefighter, a husband, a 
son, and friend to so many--and in his final call to duty. Let us 
always remember and treasure the memory of this brave man and honor him 
for his selfless commitment to serving his fellow citizens. May God 
welcome him home and give comfort to his family and friends.

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