On Friday May 9, emergency medical services across Ontario honoured the first Canadian career paramedic killed in Afghanistan. The body of Cpl. Michael Starker, a reservist with 15 Field Ambulance and a paramedic with Calgary EMS, landed in Trenton and travelled along the Highway of Heroes to the Coroner's office in downtown Toronto.

While Toronto EMS always supports staff who want to pay tribute along the bridges, this time was different. Virtually every EMS in Ontario sent ambulances from as far away as Ottawa, and ambulance were on nearly every bridge, including a spectacular turnout from Toronto EMS staff. Furthermore, for the first time in history, an ambulance was permitted to take part in the procession to represent all paramedics in Canada. It was driven by Mike Wionzek and Ken Kominek, Toronto EMS paramedics who serve in the Canadian Forces Reserve.

The following is a selection of photographs from Cpl. Starker’s repatriation ceremony.