DETROIT – Alfredo Rojas is just 25 years old.
He has a younger brother and sister. After three years as an EMT in Rochester Hills, he decided to work in Detroit two years ago.
Kelly Adams is a veteran. She's been a Detroit EMT for 13 years. She wanted to become a paramedic after 9-11.
Both of them share a passion for helping others.
Her sister describes Adams as a strong, tough woman who is capable of protecting herself. When Adams saw her colleague being attacked, she rushed to help him.
"She puts her life on the line every freaking day," said her sister Christie Adams. "Kelly is an amazing woman and she is always out there saving dogs, saving everybody, whatever she can do to help somebody out."
Kelly Adams has a 21-year-old son and volunteers with animal rescue groups. Her sister said working as an EMT in Detroit is too dangerous.
"She will not go back. If I have anything to say about it, she will not," said Christie.
While responding to a call early Tuesday morning, Adams and her partner Rojas were attacked. They both suffered deep slash marks and stab wounds on their face and hands. Christie Adams said arteries in Kelly's face were cut.
"(Alfredo) thanks God nothing happened to his eyes," said Rojas' mother, Aurora Rojas. "It's so hard."
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Aurora said from a young age her son wanted to serve and save others. His parents got the dreaded call from Detroit Receiving Hospital (DRH).
"I felt so bad and he said, 'Don't cry mom, I'm OK. Don't cry,' So I felt he didn't want to see me over there crying," said his mother.
Alfredo Rojas wasn't supposed to work last night. He was filling in for a colleague.
"I feel so bad because he do his job with all his heart," said Aurora.
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Just a few weeks ago, Rojas celebrated his 25th birthday. Doctors at DRH say both EMTs will undergo surgery. There is a risk they might have permanent scarring. However, both are expected to make a full recovery. Both wanted to become firefighters before becoming EMTs.
Adams is in good condition while Rojas remains in serious condition.
Detroit are still looking for the attacker.
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