Press Release

April 21, 2016
Honoring John Ulmschneider

Mr. CARDIN.  Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the tragic death of a Marylander. John E. Ulmschneider of the Prince George’s Fire/EMS Department was killed in the line of duty, on Friday, April 15, 2016.

 

John Ulmschneider is survived by his wife and daughter. He was known to his friends and colleagues as “Skillet”, a nickname he received after sustaining an injury in high school.  It was while he was attending Surrattsville High School in Clinton, Maryland, that John decided to dedicate his life to serving others as firefighter.

 

Before graduating high school, John Ulmschneider worked on the farm of a family friend. It was on that farm that he met Dawn, the two would later get married. A colleague fondly remembered him as “a hard working country boy.” He enjoyed helping people. Personally and professionally he was selfless and generous. This altruism made him not only a good person, but an ideal public servant.

 

John Ulmschneider worked out of the Landover Hills Fire/EMS Station 830. He was a 13-year veteran of the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department and was described as dedicated, humble and funny. The Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department is composed of nearly 2,000 volunteers, career professionals and support personnel covering approximately 580 square miles and protecting almost 900,000 people. Marylanders should take solace in knowing that John was able to leave his mark on a department with such immense responsibilities.      

 

Maryland’s first responders are some of the best in the country. Their dedication, bravery and skill are worthy of the highest praise. John Ulmschneider had all of these traits in abundance.

 

I would like to thank the Ulmschneider family for sharing John with the people of Prince George’s County. I also like to thank John’s fellow first responders and staff at Med Star Southern Maryland Hospital Center in Clinton, Maryland, for doing their utmost to save John. His legacy will never be forgotten and I join the people of Prince George’s County in mourning his loss. 

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