02/19/2026
We are deeply saddened to share that our Lifetime Achievement Award recipient and longtime Northeast Colorado EMT-Intermediate, Jerry Morris, has passed away after a courageous fight with cancer.
Jerry’s name became synonymous with dedication in rural EMS.
He earned his EMT-Intermediate in 2002 through Morgan Community College and never stopped learning. He attended conferences, continuing education, and regional trainings whenever possible, remaining committed to clinical excellence throughout his career.
From his home in Last Chance, Colorado, Jerry provided ALS care to a region that might otherwise wait 45 minutes or more for an ALS ambulance from Akron or Brush. He answered a remarkable percentage of calls in his area and continued responding to his community’s needs until he physically could not.
Patients and colleagues described him as kind, steady, and reassuring. His clinical skills remained sharp, and his judgment was sound. He recognized when a higher level of care was needed and acted decisively, always placing patients first.
Jerry also served as an unpaid board member for NCRETAC for many years, where he provided a steady and authentic voice for rural volunteer providers dedicated to serving their communities. He understood the realities of frontier EMS and ensured those perspectives were represented in regional conversations.
Even after his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer, Jerry remained devoted to EMS. He mentored newer EMTs and firefighters, supported training efforts, and stayed engaged in service for as long as he was able.
Jerry demonstrated a heart of dedication and clinical excellence that surpassed most providers in our area. His commitment set a standard that will not be easily matched.
Northeast Colorado is better because Jerry served here.
We extend our deepest condolences to his family, his department - Washington County Ambulance Service, and the many colleagues and patients whose lives he touched. His legacy lives on in the providers he taught and the communities he protected.
