Invited by a buddy to the big 49ers/Packers game, I was one of thousands of fans curious and concerned about a flurry of paramedic activity just behind one of the end zones in the fourth quarter.
There hadn't been a serious injury on the field, so who was loaded into the ambulance that a policeman on a light-flashing motorcycle led out of the stadium?
I was dumbstruck minutes later when a phone call from The Press Democrat newsroom informed me it was my friend John Burgess, the world-class PD photographer.
John Burgess: 2012 Photos Of The Year
Pablo Sandoval is doused with champagne by teammates. The San Francisco Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-0, in Game 7 of the NLCS on Monday, October, 22, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Photo illustration for a story on How to Get a Good Night's Sleep.
photo illustration by Emma Rose and John Burgess
model Rachel Gardea
KZST morning DJ Brent Farris plays around in the booth between songs. He says he plays guitar just enough "to play one song and get off the stage."
Michael Crabtree dunks the ball over the goal post after his 1st quarter touchdown. San Francisco 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Vernon Davis pulls in a pass over the shoulder of Malcolm Jenkins. The San Francisco 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Drew Brees congratulates Alex Smith after the game. San Francisco 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Justin Smith celebrates his sack of Drew Brees. San Francisco 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Vernon Davis jumps into the crowd after his 49 yard touchdown in the 1st quarter. San Francisco 49ers beat the New Orleans Saints 36-32 on Saturday, January 14, 2012.
Billie Jean King smiles after Linda Lee of Hayward brought in her Bille Jean King model Wilson racquet with a cover from the 1973 Battle of the Sexes between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
James Goodwin of Santa Rosa, former World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee airmen talked about 'Red Tails" the new movie about the group of African American pilots.
San Francisco 49ers running back Anthony Dixon holds his head in his hands while falling to his knees after the Niner's lost their game against the Giants Sunday at Candlestick.
Cory Vader winds the clock in the Empire Building on Courthouse Square on Thursday. The clock hasn't work for the past six months and the bell has chimed only a few time the past twenty years.
Forrest Farnsworth, the owner of the International Big Game Studio of Taxidermy returns a wild boar mannequin to a storage area in a converted chicken coup in Sebastopol.
Friends and his dogs try to comfort Russell Dooley, left, who feared one of his dogs was still trapped in his fire engulfed home on King St. in Santa Rosa on Wednesday morning.
Barndiva will feature the rough, rugged rye-based Salander, after the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, back, and the debonair Clooney with voldka, grapefruit, and sparkling wine. Food and drinks planned for Oscar Night at Barndiva in Healdsburg.
"The Artist" inspired Barndiva executive chef Ryan Fancher to use his local vegetable palette for the palate pleasing Green Goddess Salad. Food and drinks planned for Oscar Night at Barndiva in Healdsburg.
A baby colobus monkey was born early Thursday morning, March 8, 2010 at Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA. The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs.
A baby colobus monkey was born early Thursday morning, March 8, 2010 at Safari West in Santa Rosa, CA. The name “colobus” is derived from the Greek word for “mutilated,” because unlike other monkeys, colobus monkeys do not have thumbs.
Kya Hill, 17, waits in Dr. Drew Hittenberger's office for the fitting of her new prosthetic arm.
Kya Hill, 17, struggles to rotate her wrist during a demonstration on her first day back at school with her new arm. After two days of working the muscles while fitting the arm, fatigue and pain left her unable to show most of the functions.
The ladies in the aqua aerobics class at the Sonoma Aquatic Center exercise in 90 degree mineral waters in the indoor facility.
Clowns wait for their entrance at the the 20th annual Circus Waldissima at the Summerfield Waldorf School on Friday.
Amelie Schlager performs before a crowd under the new big top for the 20th annual Circus Waldissima at the Summerfield Waldorf School on Friday.
The Schliupka 1820's style boat used by Boat Base Monterey makes its way around the Lady Washington after it docked in the Spud Point Marina at Bodega Bay on Tuesday morning.
Giraffe fun fact: The human has 7 neck vertebrae, so do giraffes, they're just a lot bigger. Safari West welcomed the latest baby giraffe to the largest private herd in the country.
Griffin Lewis went with the full bunny suit with firefighter boots for the Easter egg hunt at the Presbyterian Preschool in Santa Rosa on Friday morning.
The 58 gram fennec fox kit feeds on Pedialyte mixed with a puppy formula.
Brandon Jones, 12, grabbed an unloaded black powder rifle before heading to his bedroom window to write down the license number of a car driven by a woman who entered and burgled his home on Wednesday while he was home sick from school.
Healdsburg beekeeper April Lance checks the health of the new colonies forming on combs in her backyard.
Daniel Kilpatrick, 12, launches a water-filled sponge while dueling at the Mayacamas Medieval Games at Sonoma Mountain Village in Rohnert Park on Friday. Eight 6th grade Waldorf-method charter schools gathered for the event.
Firefighters battle a warehouse fire at The Barlow in Sebastopol on Friday morning.
Stephen Perry walks 16 dogs down Spring St. in Santa Rosa on their 2-hour stroll to downtown on Thursday. Perry owns Stephen Walks Dogs
Dotty Walters enters the PET Scan at the Redwood Regional Medical Group where Dr. Allan Bernstein hopes to measure the amount of amyloid in the brain of Walters, who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.
Eating ice cream at Screamin' Mimi's the winner of the Press Democrat's Best Ice Cream in the Best of Sonoma County competition.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fire strike teams leave the scene as flames jumped across Bear Creek Rd. on the Walker Ridge Fire burning near the intersection of Hwy 20 and Hwy 16 on Monday, August 13, 2012.
A helicopter flies with a bucket of water to drop on the front lines of the Walker Ridge Fire burning near the intersection of Hwy 20 and Hwy 16 on Monday, August 13, 2012.
Analy seniors (l to r) Cooper Harden, Gabe Greenberg-Pines, Ryan Ponce, Josh Cornwell and Sam Larson cheer as their football team goes up 42-0 over Maria Carrillo High School in Sebastopol on Friday night.
Hundreds of fans greeted the Petaluma National team, led by James O'Hanlon, Danny Marzo, Porter Slate and Quinton Gago at the Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds on Monday after they finished third in the Little League World Series in Williamsport.
After 2 1/2 years away from home Specialist Ross Guptill, left, runs into the arms of his daughter Brooke Guptill, 13, during their homecoming at Altimira Middle School in Sonoma on Thursday, September 6, 2012.
Chef Sam Badolato tosses pizza dough near the wood fire oven at VJB Vineyards and Cellars in Kenwood.
(l to r) John King, Jodye Manley and Roy Reibel secure the head on their "Tree Man" in preparation for the opening of the National Heirloom Exposition at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds. The sculpture, created by Kids Growing Strong, a 33-acre farm in southern California, watches over the kids area at the event.
Kendall Hunter escapes the flying grasp of John Wendling. The 49ers beat the Detroit Lions 27-19 on Sunday night.
Jonathan Lee, the president of the Santa Rosa based Red Peleton bicycle racing team, sits in a Bodpod to measure the body fat level in a Sonoma State kinesiology lab as part of a study of the effects of caffeine on sports performance.
Elijah Finley, 10, of Healdsburg watched as 11,000 vaux swifts fly into a chimney on the campus of the Rio Lindo Academy on Tuesday night. At sunset, as the bugs the birds feed upon stop flying, the swifts suddenly form a giant vortex and head into the chimney at a pace of birds per minute. The ones that don't make it it curve back around to join the swirling mass for another run. The 11,000 birds finally managed to all make it to bed after about 30 minutes. The tiny birds weigh less than an ounce, and cling to the sides of the chimney pressed against each other for the night.
The Joan and Sanford J. Weill Hall with the modular rear wall open, extending the concert experience to an outdoor audience of up to 3,000.
Wade Farris with his dog Rooster, a 190 lbs. Blue Great Dane, who measures 40" from foot to shoulder, just 4" shorter thaan the world's tallest dog.
Casa Grande quarterback JuJuan Lawson delivers a pass while in the grasp of Dominic Mendoza and Autin Messerschmidt. Casa Grande football defeated Maria Carrillo on Friday, October, 5, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Mummy Megan Porter has her legs wrapped by Maggie fields while Ellorine Carle puts the finishing touches to Emely Chavez (CQ) on the Egyptian themed Interact Club float for the Casa Grande homecoming parade.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Levi Leipheimer talked about his use of performance enhancing drugs on Tuesday, October, 16, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
The Giants mob the mound after the game. The San Francisco Giants beat the St. Louis Cardinals, 9-0, in Game 7 of the NLCS on Monday, October, 22, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Pablo Sandoval returns to high five teammates after his 3rd home run in the 5th inning. The San Francisco Giants beat the Detroit Tigers, 8-3, in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, October, 24, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Angel Pagan jumps to high five Brandon Crawford after the win. The San Francisco Giants beat the Detroit Tigers, 8-3, in Game 1 of the World Series on Wednesday, October, 24, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Sonoma Academy forward Savannah Stoughton crashes into St. Vincent goalie Jacalyn Murphy in the second half. The Sonoma Academy girls soccer team beat St. Vincent de Paul High School, 5-1, on Wednesday, November 7, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Colin Kaepernick eludes the grasp of Chris Long in the 3rd quarter. The San Francisco 49ers tied the St. Louis Rams, 24-24, on Sunday, November, 11, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Rancho Cotate beat Las Lomas 21-14 on Friday night, November 16. 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A wild boar piglet was adopted by the herd of Watusi Cattle at Safari West in Santa Rosa. The cattle are native to Africa where they are traded as currency, and signify tribal status.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A rafter of wild turkeys have settled in the heart of Santa Rosa along Clover Dr. Cats in the neighborhood keep their distance from the fierce birds who fight with their talon-like feet.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
David Little, owner of Little Organic Farm, stores his potatoes in a darken barn east of Petaluma.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Army specialist Stefan LeRoy demonstrates how the robotic knee joint works while talking to scouts from his old troop at Rincon Valley Community Park on Wednesday, November 21, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
A young woman, who did not want to give her name, is comforted by her grandmother Marcia Brown after escaping a fire that destroyed her Vellutini Rd. home in Forestville early Tuesday morning.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Mussel Escabeche with Chili Relish and Duncans' Cremini Mushroom Escabeche from Chef Mark Stark at his new Bravas Bar de Tapas in Healdsburg.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Rancho Cotate quarterback Michael Courchaine, left, and wide receiver Carlos Soto suffered a tough ending to an amazing season after the Cougars loss. Clayton Valley defeated Rancho Cotate, 35-7, in the North Coast Section Division 2 football playoffs on Friday, November 30, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Clayton Valley's Dylan Jue strips the ball from the hand of Rancho Cotate quarterback Michael Courchaine. Clayton Valley defeated Rancho Cotate, 35-7, in the North Coast Section Division 2 football playoffs on Friday, November 30, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
Fire crews use the jaws of life to extricate Vicki Siefer, 46, of Novato from her vehicle after a 2 car head-on crash in dense fog on Stony Pt. Rd. on Tuesday, December 11, 2012.
(John Burgess/The Press Democrat)
He'd suffered a heart attack and crumpled while shooting photos from the goal line.
Think of that. If it had to happen, could John have possibly been in a better spot? In seconds, emergency medical personnel on the sidelines were working on him, toiling to restore his heartbeat and breathing.
John, a creative genius who loves sports photography and in addition to his PD work has shot more than 300 assignments for Sports Illustrated, was at last revived by ambulance paramedics who shocked him back to life.
"The first person I remember seeing," he told me Wednesday in an e-mail, "was Robert Beck, a photographer from Sports Illustrated who I worked with on the golf tour for the magazine and have known for 20 years."
Beck left the game because he didn't want John to be alone at S.F. General Hospital and he knew it would take a while for John's wife, the PD's Mary Callahan Burgess, to get there.
Today John feels hugely grateful to Beck, to "the amazing paramedics who brought me back from the edge," to the motorcycle cop who rode escort to the hospital and to a heap of doctors and nurses — some of whom call him a miracle man because he's come through so extremely well.
He'll undergo bypass surgery before he comes home to his family and begins to plot a return to shooting magic with those Canons of his.
(page 2 of 2)
GABE STIRNUS would have been right at home on the sidelines with John.
Stirnus is a 1998 Monty grad who became a Bennett Valley firefighter/paramedic and a few years back received a Medal of Valor for his and a colleague's dramatic rescue of a man from a burning car.
His partner was Steve Gritsch, who became a San Francisco police officer and weeks ago drew praise for his quick action in reviving an abandoned newborn.
And now Stirnus, happily employed by the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority, has been named California Firefighter of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His service on-duty and off, including his career-prep work with teens through the CHOICES program, will be saluted in Sonoma on Friday night at the awards banquet of VFW's Bear Flag Post 1943.
JAXON ABLAZE: KSRO talk-show host Steve Jaxon will feel the heat at 6 p.m. Friday at D'Argenzio Winery as comic Johnny Steele and others roast him to mark his 40 years on radio, 60 years alive.
Proceeds will be shared with the Cooking with Kids Foundation created by Guy Fieri, who knows roasting and may stop by.
Invited by a buddy to the big 49ers/Packers game, I was one of thousands of fans curious and concerned about a flurry of paramedic activity just behind one of the end zones in the fourth quarter.
There hadn't been a serious injury on the field, so who was loaded into the ambulance that a policeman on a light-flashing motorcycle led out of the stadium?
I was dumbstruck minutes later when a phone call from The Press Democrat newsroom informed me it was my friend John Burgess, the world-class PD photographer.
He'd suffered a heart attack and crumpled while shooting photos from the goal line.
Think of that. If it had to happen, could John have possibly been in a better spot? In seconds, emergency medical personnel on the sidelines were working on him, toiling to restore his heartbeat and breathing.
John, a creative genius who loves sports photography and in addition to his PD work has shot more than 300 assignments for Sports Illustrated, was at last revived by ambulance paramedics who shocked him back to life.
"The first person I remember seeing," he told me Wednesday in an e-mail, "was Robert Beck, a photographer from Sports Illustrated who I worked with on the golf tour for the magazine and have known for 20 years."
Beck left the game because he didn't want John to be alone at S.F. General Hospital and he knew it would take a while for John's wife, the PD's Mary Callahan Burgess, to get there.
Today John feels hugely grateful to Beck, to "the amazing paramedics who brought me back from the edge," to the motorcycle cop who rode escort to the hospital and to a heap of doctors and nurses — some of whom call him a miracle man because he's come through so extremely well.
He'll undergo bypass surgery before he comes home to his family and begins to plot a return to shooting magic with those Canons of his.
GABE STIRNUS would have been right at home on the sidelines with John.
Stirnus is a 1998 Monty grad who became a Bennett Valley firefighter/paramedic and a few years back received a Medal of Valor for his and a colleague's dramatic rescue of a man from a burning car.
His partner was Steve Gritsch, who became a San Francisco police officer and weeks ago drew praise for his quick action in reviving an abandoned newborn.
And now Stirnus, happily employed by the Sonoma Valley Fire & Rescue Authority, has been named California Firefighter of the Year by the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
His service on-duty and off, including his career-prep work with teens through the CHOICES program, will be saluted in Sonoma on Friday night at the awards banquet of VFW's Bear Flag Post 1943.
JAXON ABLAZE: KSRO talk-show host Steve Jaxon will feel the heat at 6 p.m. Friday at D'Argenzio Winery as comic Johnny Steele and others roast him to mark his 40 years on radio, 60 years alive.
Proceeds will be shared with the Cooking with Kids Foundation created by Guy Fieri, who knows roasting and may stop by.
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