It’s been a difficult nine months for Matt Stewart.

Stewart’s father, Jeannette Emergency Medical Services paramedic William J. Sekora Jr., died Oct. 8 at 63 after contracting covid-19.

The Penn Township man’s death was declared to have occurred in the line of duty by the Pennsylvania Bureau of Emergency Services.

“It was unexpected,” Stewart said. “When something unexpected like that happens, it’s a shock and it takes a while to get through it. I still don’t think it’s hit me.”

Sekora was one of 72 emergency medical personnel who died in the line of duty nationwide in 2021. He was honored Tuesday as part of a Pittsburgh stop on the National EMS Memorial Procession route to Arlington, Va., for a Weekend of Honor. Their names were read aloud during ceremonies hosted by the City of Pittsburgh Bureau of EMS on the North Shore Great Lawn next to the Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

“To lose even one EMT paramedic or any EMS worker is a heartbreaking event. To lose 72 is a catastrophic event,” said Greg Porter, chief of Ross/West View EMS. “That’s 72 families without brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, sons or daughters, moms or dads.”

Stewart, who also works in emergency services, knows the risks of the job. But he said it’s been hard on his family and the Jeannette community.

Sekora worked as a paramedic for 50 years.

He followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather and inspired his son to get involved in emergency services.

“We lost a great paramedic,” Stewart said. “Who knows how many people are still here because he was there to help them. He was very selfless. Inside and outside of work, he helped people any way that he could. He was special.”

Organizer Larry Jones, a National EMS Memorial Service board member, said holding services such as Tuesday’s is important, especially for family members of those who died helping others.

“I think it’s important to remember that EMS personnel are kind of like the forgotten heroes in the country,” said Jones. “We need to remember them, honor them, and let their families know that they have the support of the entire country and the people that they’re serving every day.”

Matt Stewart said he was grateful that his father was one of the paramedics remembered. He plans to attend this weekend’s event in Arlington.

“I think what they’re doing here is an incredible thing,” Stewart said.

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