FROM THE BAKERY TO THE FIREHOUSE

Update On First Recipient of Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship

The Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship honors the legacy of service of a young CDO High School graduate who knew he wanted to serve his community and help people. Aspiring to become a firefighter, Jacob started his career path as all other firefighters must: by becoming a certified Emergency Medical Technician. He studied at Pima Community College and after passing his certification exam, took a job with AMR of Tucson. He had applied for and been accepted to the Fire Sciences program at PCC and looked forward to joining the team at Tucson Fire Department. Tragically, Jacob and his partner were shot in a deadly shooting event while on duty in their ambulance. Jacob succumbed to his injuries and passed at the age of 20 in July 2021.

Rockin’ 4 Heroes created their first Endowment Scholarship at Pima Community College where Jacob received his EMT education and certification. This Endowment scholarship will forever honor Jacob’s heart for service by funding two aspiring EMT candidates per year, in perpetuity. Even in his passing, Jacob’s desire to help others is realized.

For Thea Cromwell, the first recipient of the Rockin’ 4 Heroes Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship, her career path was not as clear as Jacob’s. As a single Mom, Thea has a strong work ethic and has always enjoyed working with people in her different jobs. She already had a heart for service. But it took a life-changing experience to point her toward a whole new career. While working at the Cookie Plug in Tucson, she was first on the scene after hearing a terrible crash outside the store. Thea felt helpless to offer any assistance to the gravely wounded Tucson Police officer who was in the vehicle.  She could only wait with him until paramedics arrived, and he passed later that night.

This was devastating to Thea. It was also the third accident she had witnessed.  She resolved to do something to be better educated in administering First Aid and began looking into CPR training. At that time, she saw an ad for Pima Community College’s EMT program. She knew right away this was the path she wanted to take. Thea had attended the fallen officer’s memorial service where she met his mother and other family members, who continued to stay in touch, providing support and encouragement for Thea in her decision to pursue her EMT certification.

Thea applied for and was awarded the very first Rockin’ 4 Heroes Jacob Dindinger Memorial EMT Scholarship at Pima Community College. She achieved her goal, earning her EMT certification this past December. She will start the Fire Academy at Pima Community College in the 2025 Fall semester and is currently enrolled in full-time classes at PCC this semester as she pursues her associates degree in Fire Service.  She continues to work out daily to stay fit for the rigors of her chosen profession and recently participated in her first 5K race through the Erik Hite Foundation, to honor fallen First Responders.

We are so proud of Thea’s accomplishments and wish her much success as she embarks on her career as a First Responder.