Beloved O’Fallon, Illinois doctor receives first responder procession ahead of funeral

O’FALLON, Ill. – On a windy October day, a long line of first responders from both sides of the Mississippi River gathered with members of the O’Fallon community and a marching band to pay tribute to Dr. Jeff Shafer.

“He started off his medical career with EMS and then became a firefighter,” Fire Chief Brad White, O’Fallon Fire Department, said. Then he saved some people’s lives as an ER doctor. Being on scene saved some people’s lives. Otherwise, the outcome would have been different. Today was just a day for us to remember him and appreciate everything he’s done for us.”

Shafer was medical director for HSHS St. Elizabeth Hospital EMS System. He had worked his way up from EMT, gaining the respect of colleagues along the way.

“He would often ride with our departments,” Dawn Elliott, EMS coordinator for the St. Elizabeth EMS System, said. “Prior to him becoming a medical physician, he actually worked EMS on the ground side of things, so he came from the road and worked his way through medical school and became our director. He was unique in that he understood both sides of the fence, what’s happening in the hospital, but also out on the road what we deal with.”

The procession, made up of several fire battalions, made its way Engine House No. 4, past St. Elizabeth Hospital, to Gateway Classic Cars in O’Fallon, Illinois, for a celebration of life service.

Shafer was 45.

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