(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)
KENOSHA, Wis. – In a touching act of gratitude amid unimaginable grief, the parents of Addison “Addi” McBride gave back to the very first responders who tried to save their daughter’s life.
At 1 p.m. today, Dan McBride and Kristy Murphy, the mother and father of 15-year-old Addi, catered a full lunch for members of the Kenosha Fire Department and Kenosha Police Department at Station One. The meal was a personal thank-you to the paramedics, police officers, and firefighters who responded with incredible speed on August 25, the day their daughter died from undetected sepsis. Also present were both Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton, Fire Chief Daniel Tilon, and their top brass.
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)
In a tearful address to the first responders in attendance—including the very same personnel who had been on the scene that day—Addi’s parents acknowledged a truth that is often overlooked.
“You’re always recognized for the lives you save,” Kristy said, fighting back tears. “But no one ever thanks you for the ones you can’t save. Addi had no chance. The sepsis reached her heart. It was instant. There’s nothing anyone could have done—but you came anyway.”
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
The gathering was quiet, intimate, and emotional. There were shared tears, long hugs, and heartfelt words between the grieving parents and the men and women who tried to help their daughter.
Dan, who previously worked in law enforcement, spoke openly about the emotional toll that career took on him and why it wasn’t the right path for him long term. “I couldn’t handle the stress,” he admitted. “But seeing what you all did for our family… it means everything.”
Kristy offered the group an open invitation: “If any of you ever need a place to stay—if your spouse kicks you out, if you need a break—we’ve got a bedroom for you. Our house is your house. Come by anytime.”
One firefighter at the lunch returned the sentiment: “Our doors are always open here at Station One. If you ever need anything, come here anytime, day or night. We are here for you.”
Despite the sorrow that hung in the air, the room was filled with warmth. Gratitude. Even laughter. The catered meal was just one way Dan and Kristy tried to show appreciation for the people who rushed into action on the worst day of their lives.
Addi, a sophomore at Tremper High School and former KTEC student, was widely loved by her classmates and teachers for her warmth, spontaneity, and infectious smile. She passed away unexpectedly on August 25 from sepsis, a condition that moved too fast for even the most urgent medical intervention.
Her parents have made it their mission to celebrate Addi’s memory by thanking the community that stood by them. Their gesture today deeply moved everyone in attendance.
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Nathan DeBruin for Kenosha County Eye)
(Photo by Kevin Mathewson, Kenosha County Eye)
18 Responses
When I was a cop in the 90s, there was a department rule. no visible tatoes. Times have changed. nice gesture by the family
Big deal! I hope you learn how to spell it.
LOL yes, times have definitely changed. As long as we don’t allow facial piercings on duty it’s all good.
And facial hair…..
They can’t have beards anyways.
They can have facial hair now. Kind of hard to justify letting your employees be obese and that looks ok, but a tattoo or a beard would look unprofessional? Kind of a silly perception.
No, they cannot have beards bc they have to wear an SCBA.
I agree, seeing obese cops and firefighters is really infuriating. How do you expect to do the job when you cannot even save yourself?! You picked a career that requires good physical shape, stay that way or get a new job.
Police can have beards – it’s been shown they can still get a proper fit with their gas masks during their fit tests. Police can also have tattoos. And while we’re reminiscing about the good old days and how it “use to be” – Remember when women couldn’t be police officers? There’s two in the photos. There are officers with tattoos. There’s an officer with a beard. They can all still do their jobs just fine like you did back in the 90’s. Policies change with the times – as they should. Get over it.
Do you think you could acknowledge the good here? Why are you only focused on the tattoos that you don’t know how to spell? You must be a ball of joy at parties!
Seriously this is what you people are talking about. These men and women are human and shared their emotions the day they were there in our worst moment….those men and women are the one who worked on my daughter for over an hour trying to save her.!!! SHAME ON YOU BEARD OR TATOOS DOESNT CHANGE THE SACRIFICE THEY MAKE FOR US EVERYDAY. THEY PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US. THEY SHOULD BE UPLIFTED AND SHOWN AS THE HEROS THEY TRULY ARE..BUT NOT ONLY ARE THEY HEROS BUT THEY ARE HUMAN AMD THE STUFF THEY SEE AND DEAL WITH EVERYDAY DOESNT JUST GO AWAY THEY HAVE FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS AND THEY HAVE TO PUT THAT ASIDE AND GO ON TO THE NEXT CALL OVER AND OVER AND OVER…SO PLEASE IF YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT THAT DO IT SOMEWHERE ELSE
Ignore the trolls, Dan. What you and your family did for the people who did their best to save your daughter was a beautiful gesture. I’m anonymous on this site, but my prayers are with you and your family.
THANK YOU! My gosh, here I was so touched by this story, and all these people can do is criticize the appearance of the first responders? PLEASE
And I am so very sorry for your loss, Dan!
And thank you too, Kevin.
God bless the McBride family! . You trolls who are anonymous will experience Karma. Trust me!
How sad this is the 3rd case of sepsis I have heard in the past weeks . 80 yr old passed,62 yr old on a ventilator and is recovering. They had kidney stone and gallstone.
Good ol Covid jab