Local Hero Memorialized in Albany

Among those added to the state Emergency Medical Services Memorial in Albany last week was a local hero, Gregory C. Miglino Sr., the Captain of Special Operations with the South Country Ambulance who died in the line of duty.

The ceremony, with Gov. Kathy Hochul and local officials, was attended by the captain’s widow, Susan Miglino, his son, Gregory Miglino, Jr., who currently serves as chief of the ambulance company, and his grandson, Gregory Miglino, III, also an EMT.

Gregory Miglino, Jr., right, who currently serves as chief of the South Country Ambulance, and his son, Gregory Miglino, III, also an EMT, in front of the “Tree of Life” inscribed with the name of Special Operations Captain Gregory C. Miglino, Sr. File Photo

“Our department and my family were both deeply honored to stand with other New Yorkers and watch as Captain Miglino was added to the long list of public safety members who have given their lives in the service of others,” said Chief Miglino. The memorial service, at the Empire State Plaza, was part of an entire week devoted to recognizing and remembering the state’s emergency service workers.

Throughout state history, 120 EMS providers have been identified and honored as having died in the Line of Duty. That number includes the eight names added to the memorial at this year’s ceremony.

“We are truly blessed to have Captain Miglino and many others like him who step up without hesitation to serve their communities, their neighbors, and their friends,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, an emergency services volunteer himself who attended the Albany ceremony. “These are the ones who answer the call for help no matter the situation. Sadly, as with our local hero, Captain Gregory Miglino, some make the ultimate sacrifice in doing so.”

The Special Operations Captain succumbed to injuries sustained while treating a patient at the scene of a motor vehicle accident in 2007.

Every year since 2004, the names of those who died in the line of duty have been added to the memorial’s Roll of Honor. This year, seven other heroes, all having served with the Fire Department of New York, were enshrined alongside Captain Miglino.

South Country Ambulance Special Operations Captain Gregory C. Miglino, Sr. who was added to the state’s Emergency Medical Services Memorial last week. File Photo

The EMS Memorial features a large granite tablet with a graceful and flowing "Tree of Life" engraved into its surface. “This is in keeping with the theme of the National EMS Memorial, with the ‘leaves’ on our New York ‘tree’ in the shape of the ‘Star of Life,’ the national symbol of EMS,” as Assemblyman DeStefano described the tablet. In honor of each member who falls in the line of duty, an EMS "star" in stainless steel with polished lettering and trim will be placed on the tree. Each of these special stars bear the member's name, organization, and date of death, DeStefano explained.

“Every one of these individuals and those who came before them and those who will follow are all heroes and deserve our gratitude,” state Senator Dean Murray said at the Empire Plaza memorial. “May you all rest in peace.”

Also traveling to Albany for the service was Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio. “I am honored to be here in the shadow of these great heroes,” Loguercio said. “My heart goes out to them and their families.”