Viewing, funeral plans Wednesday for Forde, son
The Lee County Emergency Medical Services Honor Guard will swell with members of honor guards from local law enforcement and fire departments of Southwest Florida at the funeral for slain paramedic Lisa Eddy-Forde, and her son, Caleb Forde, Wednesday, Sept. 7, at the New Life Assembly Church, 5146 Leonard Blvd., South, in Lehigh Acres.
EMS co-workers are paying respect to her by giving Eddy-Forde and her son full honors as part of the entitlement granted to all emergency workers who die while actively employed. That began by standing 24-hour guard over her casket until the funeral, and continues today with the honor guard standing watch during the viewing. At the church and the cemetery, the family will process between rows of honor guard.
“There are no words to express the grief we are feeling,” said Deputy Public Safety Director Kim Dickerson.
The funeral and church service were donated by the Gendron Funeral Home and New Life Assembly Church. EMS co-workers established an account at Wachovia Bank for anyone interested in donating money to help defray the expense of the burials.
Lee County EMS has worked closely with the family to honor Eddy-Forde, as an active duty emergency worker, in a manner befitting her service to the community.
Following is the lineup:
— Public viewing — Today, Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m., at the Gendron Funeral Home, 4224 Cleveland Avenue, Suite 1
— Funeral — Wednesday, Sept. 8, 11 a.m., at New Life Assembly Church, 5146 Leonard Blvd. South, Lehigh
— A procession led by LCSO motorcycle officers and including EMS vehicles, marked emergency response vehicle, hearses, limos and general public vehicles will follow the service to Lee Memorial Park on State Road 82 in Lehigh for burial
— Graveside service by Lee County Sheriff’s Chaplain will be followed by bagpipes playing Amazing Grace
Eddy-Forde and her son died Thursday, Sept. 2, in their home, the victims of an apparent double murder suicide. Lee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating. She was employed as an EMT with Lee County EMS since February 2007.