In Memory of Joshua Weismann By Karen L. Bune

He had so much to live for. A dedicated and ambitious professional firefighter/paramedic in the Alexandria Virginia Fire Department and in the prime of his life, Joshua Weismann, 33, died as a result of injuries sustained in a tragic fall of approximately 30 feet off a guardrail during an on-duty incident involving a car fire. Enthusiastic and always intent on helping others, Joshua unhesitatingly ran across the highway the evening of February 8, 2012 for an emergency response but fell onto some sharp rocks and sustained a serious head injury that, ultimately, resulted in his untimely death.

Weismann’s fellow firefighters retrieved his body out of the water and, along with law enforcement who assisted with the emergency, transported him to the nearest trauma center. For all of them, it had to be one of the worst nights of their careers. Though their job is to regularly rescue others and save lives, having to do so for one of their own hits hard.

The impact of Weismann’s death is profound and is accompanied by penetrating feelings of shock, disbelief and unending grief. The reality of knowing that he is forever gone leaves a void in the lives of many, including his family.

Known to be proactive and always willing to help, Weismann, a six year veteran, was a caring and compassionate firefighter/medic. It was not unusual for him to follow up with patients in the aftermath of an incident to inquire about them. He did this voluntarily because he genuinely cared about others.

The reverberating effects of Weismann’s death reach near and far—locally, regionally and nationally. The undeniable consensus among all is he was too young to die.

For those traumatized by the outcome of this tragic call for service, they must find comfort in fond memories and in knowing that Weismann would want them all to forge ahead with ongoing dedication and professionalism in all they do.

Recalling his positive outlook, his spirited enthusiasm and his commitment to a job he loved should serve as a strong motivator to his colleagues to preserve Weismann’s memory with a unified response of even greater solidarity and empathy for those they serve. Weismann would want it no other way.

Rest in peace Joshua Weismann.

***Karen L. Bune serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Criminal Justice at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia and Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia, where she teaches victimology. Ms. Bune is a consultant for the Training and Technical Assistance Center for the Office for Victims of Crime and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, U. S. Department of Justice. She is a nationally recognized speaker and trainer on victim issues. Ms. Bune is Board Certified in Traumatic Stress and Domestic Violence, and she is a Fellow of The Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the National Center for Crisis Management. She is a 2009 inductee in the Wakefield High School (Arlington, Va.) Hall of Fame. She received the “Chief’s Award 2009” from the Prince George’s County Maryland Police Chief. She received a 2011 Recognition of Service Certificate from Prince George’s County Executive Rushern Baker. She received a 2011 Official Citation from The Maryland General Assembly congratulating her for extraordinary public service on behalf of domestic violence victims in Prince George’s County and the cause of justice throughout Maryland. She received the 2011 American University Alumni Recognition Award. Ms. Bune appears in the 2012 editions of Marquis’ “Who’s Who in the World, and Marquis' Who’s Who of American Women.