2024 Recipient Terry Trost's Life Story
Terry Trost was born on March 15, 1960, in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Donald and Phyllis Trost. Growing up in Blue Ash, Ohio, enjoying his childhood, Terry attended Sycamore High School and graduated in 1979. Terry has three siblings: Lee Trost, Thomas Trost, and Lisa Davis. His father, Donald, worked as a full-time Fire Lieutenant with the Evendale Fire Department, while his mother, Phyllis, was a dedicated homemaker.
Throughout his life, Terry aspired to pursue a career as a public servant, inspired by his father’s legacy and hoping to follow in his footsteps.
When Terry was 14 years old, he became a member of the Evendale Fire Department’s Explorer post, where he experienced serving the public for the first time. In the spring of 1978, at the age of 18, Terry embarked on his EMT training and basic firefighter training, eventually joining the Blue Ash Fire Department. He simultaneously served in the fire department and EMS roles with the Blue Ash Fire Department until around 1991.
Additionally, Terry completed his basic police officer training at Scarlet Oaks JVS under the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy, graduating in 1983. Upon completing his training, Terry began working for the Xavier University Campus Police Department right out of the academy and worked as an auxiliary Police Officer for Monroe Township Police Department, in Clermont County. In December 1983, he was appointed as a full-time Police Officer with the Miami Township Police Department. Concurrently, Terry remained committed to serving both the Blue Ash Fire Department and the Miami Township Police Department until his departure from the Blue Ash Fire Department in 1991.
Throughout his tenure at the Miami Township Police Department, Terry worked in the Road Patrol Division, fulfilling roles as a relief Supervisor and a Field Training Officer for new recruits. While Terry’s list of accomplishments is extensive, one memorable incident that remains vivid in his memory is an early morning house fire. During this event, he bravely rescued a 2-year-old baby from the burning house and provided life-saving measures, including mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, until the baby was successfully revived. It was later revealed that the children’s father had intentionally started the fire to kill his family for insurance money.
During the final five years of Terry’s tenure at the Miami Township Police Department, he was assigned to the Investigations Bureau, where he handled a wide range of cases including homicide, shootings, rapes, thefts, and burglaries until his retirement in 2009.
Furthermore, in 1985, Terry initiated a Private Motor Officer Force to offer funeral escorts to the Funeral Homes in the Greater Cincinnati Tri-State area. He actively participated in this role on the front line, conducting over 700 funeral escorts annually until symptoms of ALS began to manifest. In 2020, Terry and his wife Rosa made the decision to step back from his front-line duties.
Embracing the concept of fate, Terry encountered his lovely wife Rosa in April 2009 at a motorcycle event held at Quaker Steak and Lube Restaurant in Milford, Ohio. It was a case of love at first sight, and they have been inseparable ever since. The couple exchanged vows on the beach in Key West, Florida, on July 1, 2011. Rosa played a pivotal role in Terry’s life, always encouraging him to appreciate life’s simple pleasures, a sentiment he wholeheartedly embraced. Despite not having any biological children of his own, Terry’s bond with Erika, Rosa’s daughter, is profound. To Terry, Erika is more than a stepdaughter; she is like his own flesh and blood.
Together, Terry and Rosa embarked on numerous adventures around the globe, exploring destinations such as Italy (Rosa’s birthplace), Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, Jamaica, Punta Cana, Key West, Destin, and Daytona Beach for various motorcycle events. Their ultimate favorite spot is Grand Cayman Island, where they have made multiple visits due to their deep affection for the place. Riding motorcycles together was a cherished pastime for Terry and Rosa, seizing every opportunity for long weekend getaways on their motorcycle.
For Terry and Rosa, cherishing moments spent together, relishing each other’s company, and embarking on life’s adventures were most important. Every day spent together they express gratitude to a higher power for uniting them. Terry harbored a deep passion for motorcycles and owned multiple Harley Davidsons, including a custom-built Harley that Terry assembled from scratch. Additionally, he held a fondness for exotic cars, with his most favorite vehicle being his 2020 C8 Corvette (Red). Terry and Rosa picked up the C8 Corvette from the Corvette Museum in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and continued a memorable journey, driving to Blowing Rock nestled in the Blue Ridge Parkway.
In 2019, Terry began experiencing symptoms of ALS. He sought medical help from a Neurologist, who initially misdiagnosed him with PPMS. Consequently, Terry underwent treatment for PPMS with Ocrevus infusions twice a year. Following the PPMS diagnosis, both Terry and Rosa opted to accelerate their retirement plans, leading them to relocate to Naples, Florida, where they built their dream retirement home. Despite the treatment, Terry’s symptoms continued to progress steadily. Subsequently, the Neurologist in Naples, Florida, expressed uncertainty about the initial diagnosis and referred Terry to the Cleveland Clinic in Miami, Florida, for further evaluation. After undergoing numerous tests, Terry received a correct diagnosis of ALS in October 2022. Considering this diagnosis, Terry and Rosa made the decision to return to Cincinnati, Ohio, to be closer to Erika (daughter), family, and friends.
Today and living with ALS is like navigating a winding road with unexpected twists and turns. It’s a journey that presents both physical challenges and emotional hurdles. Imagine waking up each day knowing that your body is slowly losing its ability to move, speak, swallow, and breathe on its own.
Accepting this reality can feel like standing at the edge of a vast ocean, unsure of what lies beyond. But amidst the uncertainty and fear, there are moments of strength and resilience that shine through. We chuckle and laugh and keep holding on to each other and continue living.
Living with ALS means finding comfort in the company of others who understand our struggles, and sharing stories, laughter, and tears with a community that walks a similar path. It’s about holding on to the things you can control, cherishing relationships, pursuing passions, and embracing the present moment with gratitude.
As the disease progresses, you adapt and find new ways to navigate daily life, using assistive devices, modifying routines, and seeking out moments of joy and connection. It’s about setting small goals, celebrating victories, and finding humor during challenges.
We have learned that living with ALS is a test of courage, patience, and perseverance. It’s about acknowledging the difficult moments but choosing to focus on the moments of light and hope that shine through the darkness. It’s a journey that requires strength, support, and a positive mindset to navigate the highs and lows with grace and dignity.
