Firefighter Accused of Taking Patient's Foot
Associated Press
September 26, 2008
UPDATED REPORT:
A former St. Lucie County Firefighter of the Year is under criminal investigation over allegations that she removed a man’s severed lower leg from a car crash scene last week.
Sources familiar with the investigation confirmed the firefighter’s identity as Cindy Economou, 38, who has been with the St. Lucie County Fire District for 14 years. In her spare time, she trains cadaver search dogs. She remains on active duty pending the results of the investigation.
Economou could not be reached for comment Thursday.
“It’s an extremely serious matter and one I find personally disturbing,” Fire Chief Ron Parrish said at a news conference Thursday.
Last Friday, Karl Lambert of Melbourne was driving south on Interstate 95 near Gatlin Boulevard when his pickup struck a truck and ended up hitting a tree on the median, according to a Florida Highway Patrol report.
Economou was part of a crew that responded to the crash about 11:40 a.m. Lambert, 46, had to be extricated from the wreckage and was flown to St. Mary’s Medical Center in West Palm Beach in critical condition. The other driver was unhurt.
After Lambert was airlifted, Economou reportedly removed the lower leg from the scene, Parrish said.
Fire district officials did not say where the leg was taken but said law enforcement officers eventually brought it to St. Mary’s. Officials did not say whether the limb could be reattached.
Lambert could not be reached for comment, but he has hired Palm Beach Gardens attorney Raymond Christian.
“It’s kind of creepy,” Christian told WPEC CBS 12. “Obviously, Karl was distressed. He lost his leg, his first concern was, ‘Could it have been attached?’’”
Parrish launched the investigation Wednesday after talk among firefighters about the allegation reached his office.
“It’s not normal for remains or … (body) parts to be removed from an accident scene, other than by an appropriate authority,” Deputy Chief Buddy Emerson said.
Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Tim Frith said this is the first time in his 27 years as a trooper that he has heard of a rescue worker being accused of taking a limb.
sgvalleser
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I'm a fireman for 24 years, outside U.S. territory and it pains me a lot every time news came out that a firefighter was being maligned and accused of wrong doing after risking their lives rescuing one's life without having been investigated first and treated for a fair trial. Premature judgment to a person who's 14 years of her life serving the community and was cited for excellence awards is totally self-serving and uncalled for.
scrapps242
about 1 month ago
2 comments
If you all want to know, she did take the foot and she is guilty of that. However, she did ask permision from a senior officer on scene who pretty much turned a blind eye. She knows she was wrong because she has been training these dogs for 10 years and jknows there is a protocol. Sometimes people just don't think. And from the other medic on scene the foot was completly mangled. Even though medics don't decide. No matter what; the foot should have been sent to St. Mary's. And yes I do know the story. I know hte team who extricated him and got the story first hand. I know people don't want to think she did it or even that a professional would be capable of that, but it happened. It's sad too because it was a very good call with good text book extrication and posative outcome. The guy is alive. Well just thought you all would like to know.
hammondfire
about 1 month ago
28 comments
Was the foot completly severd at the time of the Rescue or did they have to take it off the rest of the way to get him out? If they had to take it off to get him out why was it not with him when they took him to the hospital?
flash28
about 1 month ago
4 comments
Why is it we automatically think she's guilty? Could it be that she took the foot to the wrong hospital? It says the patient was flown to the hospital, and that she removed the foot after the patient was removed. Have you ever tried to drive on a FL highway after an accident? It's no different than any other state. Traffic doesn't move! Too many "rubber neckers" Even if she went to the right hospital it is going to take her some time. I think her being a cadaver dog trainer is just a coincidence.
ned
about 1 month ago
8 comments
If she still has the foot and is reading this--- I will giive you fifty bucks for the foot, I don't know why I want it, I just do!
harrisml
about 1 month ago
2 comments
My concerns are with Mr. Lambert, could the FOOT have been saved?, Firefighters can't make a decision to improperly rmove any body parts without proper approval, Fire Chief Parrish dose'nt want this type of publicity, if Economou has nothing to hide, then she should come forth and defend herself, but if she's hiding something then she needs to be dealt with once all the facts are gathered and presented, poor Mr. Lambert"s without a FOOT. Not a nice situation.
someonejulie
about 1 month ago
16 comments
i dont think anyone should say that she is in the wrong or write if it did happen the way they said it did maybe it was the only way to save her life if one dont know the hole story then no one should say she right or wrong for doing so , i think the person she removed his leg maybe it was the only way to save his life and i think he should be thank full that there alive i dont think that anyone should be punished in that way i think she did what she thought she had to do and if i was that person i would be thanking the one that saved my life . i think there should be laws to keep you safe from this kind of thing this is the kind of thing that makes your jobs alot harder and makes someone not want to help others its sad i think it should be that one should be able to do there jobs to save lifes and not have to face the fears of this kind of thing may god bless you all and keep you safe
ReggieRegg
about 1 month ago
34 comments
Why did this have to happen in Fla.. So much bad press now for us Fla FF's.. Shes innocent till proven guilty. So guys chill out..
pbg661
about 1 month ago
2 comments
Look at all of you, for the most part whether she did it or not she is guilty in your eyes, you are all fucked up, she is one of our own. We should be supporting her until she is found guilty, until then you all need to check yourselves, cause I am sure you are not as innocent as you all think you are. I know I am not. Heck below there is even a guy in a Priest outfit, he especially should not had commented, he should as we should allow God and the Higher powers deal with this case.
lvmetro6@yahoo.ocm if u want to leave a comment... I am offended at what you all said for the most part.
xander1100
about 1 month ago
2 comments
um i was medic in the military, and you definately keep the limb wth the patient. dont know who taught you that firewater but they messed up. seeing your unattached leg wont cause any more shock than the trauma will.
Paul_K9PEP
about 1 month ago
2 comments
I would be pretty careful accusing some one, with out solid proof.
I remember lugging an old man up from his burning basement, all the while he was beating heck out of my back with his cane. Then he accused me of robbing him. I was certainly scared, but there was a plan already in place to cover that type of issue. The chief called the police, and assigned some one to "watch" me. The police asked the man how much he was missing, and he said $4,000.00. Then they searched me, and found less than $10.00. Next they went into his bedroom, lifted his mattress, and found $4,500.00. Did he ever apolagise or thank me for saving his live. Of course not!
So go easy on her, until you at least are sure that she did it without permission.
Paul Plasters
firefighter1426
about 1 month ago
26 comments
WTF how the hell did some one not see her taking a foot!
jamesbloodgood
about 1 month ago
2 comments
she needs to go to jail for all of that thats just worng
Rex
about 1 month ago
8 comments
This is up to a court of law to decide!
bestfirewife
about 1 month ago
24 comments
that is just gross!!! weather the foot is still attatched or not it still belongs to the patient and if she did not ask him I think she should be invegistated and if she did take it from the scene she should be held accountable. I think that even though she is doing a good service training those dogs she stold something that noone could put a price on and is very valuable!!! If it were my foot, well it's a good thing that it wasn't. This is a reflection unfortunatlly on all departments and it gives them a bad outlook.