Houston's Line of
Duty Firefighters
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Lewis Washington “Bo" Richardson
Born:
January 18, 1916, in Groveton, Texas
Died February 3, 1973, at age 57
49th HFD Line of Duty
Death
Entered the Fire Department:
August 1, 1941
Assignment: Captain-Fire House No. 7 “A” Shift
Buried: Forest Park Cemetery, Lawndale, Section J, Plot 144, Space 5
Lewis Richardson perished as a result of a heart attack while fighting an intense apartment fire located at 1400 Richmond Avenue and Yaupon Street. Captain Richardson and his crew were attacking the fire from inside one of the apartments units when he emerged from the apartment complaining of chest pain. He collapsed on scene and was transported to Ben Taub Hospital where attempts to revive him were unsuccessful. Lewis enlisted into the United States Army, September 20, 1942 and served during World War II. He was discharged and came home in January of 1946. He was survived by his wife of twenty-seven years, Dreba and their daughter Randi, who was twenty-five years old at the time of her father’s death. |
Esker Jackson "Jack" Rogers
Born: May
18, 1906, in Buckholts, Texas
Died: August 22, 1934, at age 28
24th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered the HFD: September 1929
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Fire House No. 24
Buried: Rosewood Cemetery, Section 20, Plot 90, Space 2
Esker Rogers was survived by his wife, Jewel, and their two sons, Johnny
and Billy who were ages six and three at the time of their father’s death.
The day of his accident, Esker was off-duty, he was asked by a
friend, to work his shift. Just as Esker relieved his friend, Engine 24 was
dispatched to a call from a fire alarm box and was involved in a collision
with a streetcar at Leeland Street and Jackson Street. The streetcar pulled
in front of Engine 24 at the intersection.
The driver turned sharply to avoid hitting the streetcar,
but the fire truck slid sideways and slammed into the side of the streetcar.
Esker was crushed between the streetcar and the fire truck. He was
transported to the nearby St. Joseph Hospital where he died later that
evening. His Captain, Merle London and two of the firefighters, Julius
“Bubba” Arto and Willie Cross were seriously injured. The passengers and
operator of the streetcar were not injured.
After being relieved,
his friend walked to the bus stop to head home and heard the crash, which
was a few blocks away.
Charles Roland Rusk
Born: June 3,
1880, in Akron, Ohio
Died: June 8, 1932, at age,52
23rd
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: April 24,1918
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Fire House No. 14
Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Section K, Space 105
Charles Rusk, a fourteen-year veteran, died when Ladder 14 struck a
streetcar at the intersection of 17th
Street and Yale Street, just a few blocks from Fire House No. 14.
Rusk was transported to the Heights Clinic where attempts to save his
life failed. Three firefighters were injured along with two passengers
and the streetcar operator.
Because of his failing eyesight Charles had been off work since November 21, 1931 and was due to retire. In May of 1932 he regained his eyesight and had just returned to duty on May 8th, exactly one month prior to his death. His son, Raymond, entered the Houston Fire Department eight years after his father’s death, and retired in 1976 after thirty-six years of service. |
Alfred Henry Schutze
Born: September
22, 1887, in Bastrop, Texas
Died: August 21, 1938, at age 50
25th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: November 5, 1917
Assignment: Battalion Chief-Fire House No. 7
Buried: Hollywood Cemetery, Section J, Plot 4, Space 1
Chief Schutze, with twenty-one years as a member of the Houston Fire Department, was dispatched to a garage apartment fire located at 2021 Bolsover Street near Hazard Street. He died when his apparatus hit an esplanade in the 5100 block of Main Street and Southmore Boulevard. The accident was at night, the amber warning light at the esplanade was not working and this caused the driver of the apparatus to be unable to see the obstruction. The firefighters on the apparatus were seriously injured and the driver received minor injuries. Chief Schutze was transported to Methodist Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Chief Schutze was survived by, Mary Leigh, his loving wife of
twenty-eight years. Alfred also severed in the United States Army during
World War I. |
Tommy
Wayne Searcy
Born: January
5, 1975, in Houston, Texas
Died: September 8, 2020 at age 45
75th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD:
August 12, 2002, Class 14 2002
Assignment: Captain-Fire House No. 67 “A” Shift
Buried: Kline Memorial Park, Pinehurst, Texas, Section N, Lot 103, Space 4
Captain Tommy Searcy, an eighteen-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department, lost his life to the COVID-19 Virus. He is the third Houston Firefighter and the eighty-fourth in the United States to pass away from the COVID-19 Virus as a line of duty death in 2020. Tommy and his family received an amazing amount of support from around the world, including help from the HPFFA Local 341 and Texas Lt. Governor Dan Patrick. They were instrumental in getting access to an experimental drug that helped Tommy’s body fight the virus while he was in The Woodlands Memorial Hermann Hospital’s ICU. He proudly served the community for over twenty-five years with several fire departments in the Houston area including Bellaire, Lufkin, Magnolia, and Westfield, where he became Assistant Chief. Tommy received multiple awards and commendations of valor from both the Westfield Fire Department and the Houston Fire Department. In 2019 his direct actions at a house fire helped save the life of a fellow Houston Firefighter. Captain Searcy was universally respected for his honor, pride, and tradition in the fire service. Tommy was immensely proud of, and survived by, his three daughters Kaylin, Krista, and Kinley. He is also survived by his parents Harold and Sin Chae Searcy, older brother Terry Searcy, and twin brother, HFD District Chief Tony Searcy. Forever Brave, Never Give Up, as in the words of Captain Tommy Searcy… “Come On, Let’s Do This” |
Delbert Harvey Sherfy
Born: April
19, 1913, in Houston, Texas
Died: October 31,
1954, at age 41
39th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: June 25, 1941
Assignment: Chauffeur-Fire House No. 17
Buried: Cleveland Memorial Cemetery, Cleveland, Texas, Lot 103, Space 4
He was survived by his wife of seventeen years, Lenna. They had two children, Daniel Harvey and Sarah Ann, who were ages sixteen and thirteen at the time of their father’s death.
Delbert’s Grandfather, Henry Donnelly, served the Houston Fire
Department for fifty years from 1895 to 1945, retiring at the age of
seventy-eight. Before Henry joined the ranks of the Houston Fire Department,
he was a paid driver for the Houston Volunteer Curtin Hose Company No. 9.
Delbert’s uncle, Eddie, served the department from 1923 to 1945. |
Kimberly Ann Smith
Born: November 20, 1969, in El Paso, Texas
Died
February 14, 2000, at age 30
55th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: April 11, 1994, Class 94A
Assignment: Firefighter-Fire House No. 76 “C” Shift
Buried: Mt. Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Refugio, Texas,
At 0433 hours Engine 76 responded to a fire in a McDonald’s Restaurant, located at 12602 Bissonnet Street and Dairy View Lane, less than a mile from their quarters. Upon arrival, Engine 76 reported the fire was coming from the roof of the restaurant. The crew of Engine 76 entered the building and started to advance the hose line to the back of the restaurant. The section of the roof that contained the air conditioning units collapsed, trapping and injuring Mayo. Kim, also trapped, was able to free herself and head toward the back door of the building. Kim was found deceased eight feet from the back door.
Kim took the
Civil Service promotional examination for Engineer/Operator in August of
1999; she was
promoted posthumously on
September 1, 2001. Kim’s badge, number 3972 was presented to her
parents, Roseann and Don Smith. |
James Magerson “Mag” Smith
Born: August 23, 1891, in Taylor, Texas
Died: February 9, 1929, at age 37
16th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: May 4, 1920
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Fire House No. 10
Buried: Evergreen Cemetery, Section B2, Plot 56, Space 4
His brother, William, entered the Houston Fire Department in 1924
and served the citizens of Houston for forty years.
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Joseph James “Joe” Solito
Born: August 24, 1914, in Lake Charles, Louisiana
Died:
July 29, 1953, at age 38
36th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered
HFD: 1938
Assignment:
Chauffeur-Fire House No. 8
Buried:
Forest Park Cemetery, Lawndale,Gethsemane50, Plot 6,
Space 6
Joe Solito, died, along with Fidel Chabolla, in a collision between Engine 8 and Ladder 1. The fire alarm box at Gable Street and MKT Railroad transmitted an alarm which led to the collision of these two apparatus at the intersection of Preston Street and Crawford Street. Engine 10, was the first due company was on another assignment and was replaced by Engine 8. Ladder 1 had trouble starting and was delayed leaving quarters. This put both trucks in the intersection at the same time. Seven firefighters were injured in the accident. Joe was transported to St. Joseph Hospital where efforts to save him failed.
He was survived by his wife of twelve years, Hazel.
|
Kenneth Dale "Kenny" Stavinoha
Born:
April 13, 1983, in Houston, Texas
Died:
September 21, 2019 at age 36
72nd HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD:
March 8, 2018, Class 2018A
Assignment: Firefighter-Fire House No. 27 “A” Shift
Ken grew up in Houston and graduated from Scarborough High
School class of 2002. Ken was a “doer” and always gave his best at whatever
task required of him. Obstacles in life shaped the person he grew up to be:
a hardworking man of courage. One of his many admirable qualities was his
passion for fixing things, especially cars. Aside from his love for cars, he
also enjoyed fishing, surfing, hunting and of course racing, especially his
Toyota Supra. Ken worked in the printing industry for sisteen years. In 2016 the
company closed the doors due to financial difficulties and Ken lost his job.
He graduated from the Val Jahnke Training Facility in March 8, 2018 Class A.
His first assignment was Fire House No. 19 “A” Shift. |
Anne McCormick "Punky" Sullivan
Born: December 4, 1988, in Houston, Texas
Died: May 31, 2013, at age 24
64th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered HFD: April 11, 2013, Class 2013A
Assignment: Firefighter-Fire House No. 68 “A” Shift
Buried: Glenwood Cemetery, Section C, Fireman’s Plot, Plot 98, West Half
Anne graduated on April 11, 2013 from the Val Jahnke Training Facility.
She had worked eleven shifts before her death. She was a member of the
Community Volunteer Fire Department and the Stafford Volunteer Fire
Department. Anne, at age seventeen knew that her career path would be that
of a firefighter. |
Rufus John "Bullock" Templet
Born: October 4, 1894, in New Iberia, Louisiana
Died: March 12, 1951, at age 56
33rd
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered the
Fire Department: January 1, 1922
Assignment: Captain-Fire House No. 5
Buried: Forest Park Cemetery, Westheimer, Catacombs, Section 54, Plot 497, Space 12
The fire involved the Alaskan Fur Factory at 600 Main Street and Texas Avenue and two other businesses, the National Shirt Shop and Shaw’s Jewelry Store. All three businesses were heavily damaged. This fire was especially difficult due to the freezing, icy weather which kept the smoke close to the ground. The fire was also responsible for the death of Joseph Connor.
Rufus Templet was known as a dedicated firefighter and often responded
to alarms off-duty. His wife, Lottie, was responsible for starting what
became the Ladies Auxiliary Club. |
Emil “Ed” Thompson
Born: 1868,
in Sweden
Died:
April 27, 1899, at age 31
1st
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department: January 1, 1897
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Hose Company No. 5
Buried:
Glenwood Cemetery, Section C, Fireman’s Plot,
Plot 98, East Half
Emil Thompson died after being hit by No. 56 Texas Central Railway
Train. The crew was responding to a house fire located at 1508 Crockett
Street and Johnson Street. Houston Avenue was the fastest route, but was not
always the best, especially after heavy rain. The driver, Henry Donnley,
chose to take a different route to avoid Houston Avenue. Hose Wagon 5 was
attempting to cross the railroad tracks at Hickory Street, which had an
unusually steep grade and had a blind spot. The hose wagon was already
crossing the tracks when the driver realized they were in jeopardy of being
hit by oncoming railcars being pushed through the crossing. The driver
shouted at the well-trained horses and was able to avoid
being hit by the train. The crew members riding in the back feared the fire
apparatus would not clear the tracks in time and began jumping. Thompson was
the last man off and fell backward into the path of the train where he died
instantly.
Emil was survived by his wife of five years, Winona; they
were married March 22, 1894.
Herman
Joseph “Dutch” Wagner
Born:
June 2, 1871, in Chicago, Illinois
Died:
May 25, 1912, at age 40
6th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department: September 21, 1895
Assignment:
Captain-Washington No. 8
Buried: Washington Cemetery (Glenwood Cemetery), Section D, Plot
2, Space 4
Herman Wagner was one of the first paid firefighters hired when the City of Houston went from a volunteer department to a paid department in September of 1895.
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Walter William
“Molly”
Walker
Born: October 23, 1881, in Millican, Texas
Died: July 1, 1940, at age 58
26th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department: March 1, 1914
Assignment: Driver-Fire House No. 2
Early in his career, Molly raised rabbits behind Fire House No. 3.
His fellow firefighters called him, “Molly Cottontail.” Over time, the
nickname became “Molly”. The name was so much a part
, his wife chose to have “Molly” engraved on his headstone.
|
James Louis Walls Jr.
Born:
March
8, 1945, in Elizabeth City, Virginia
Died: May 3, 1971, at age 26
47th
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department:
May 5, 1969, Class 69D
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Fire House No. 51 “A” Shift
Buried: Memorial Oaks Cemetery, Section 7, Plot 61, Space 2
James Walls died while driving Ambulance 1128 which was struck by a
passenger vehicle at the intersection of Chimney Rock Road and Westheimer
Road. At this point in time, the Houston Fire Department’s Emergency Medical
Service, which began providing service on James enlisted into the United States Navy December 2, 1965. He was discharged October 17, 1968.
He was survived by his wife of two years Betty, and their daughter,
Theresa, who was an infant at the time of her father’s death.
|
Michael James Ward Jr.
Born:
January 2, 1895, in Evansville, Indiana
Died: December 21, 1929, at age 34
22nd
HFD
Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department:
January 1, 1929
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Fire House No. 14
Michael Ward, eleven days from completing his first year in the Houston Fire Department, died with his friend Aaron O’Brien when Engine 19 was dispatched to a house fire located at Quitman Street and Clark Street. When crossing the double railroad tracks at Gregg Street, a short distance from Fire House No. 19, they were hit by a Southern Pacific Railroad Train. Buildings at the crossing obstructed the view of the oncoming train and the red lights and the swinging arm at the crossing were not working. O’Brien died instantly and Ward was transported to Memorial Baptist Hospital where he died the next day. Four crew members were injured and transported to local hospitals.
Michael was visiting the fire house off-duty at the time the alarm came
in and chose to ride Engine 19 to the fire when he was seriously injured and
was taken to Memorial Babtist Hospital, where he died early the next
morning. |
Steven Reid Whitfield II
Born: March 17, 1984, in Beaumont, Texas
Died
March 31, 2016, at age 32
70th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered the Fire Department: October 26, 2015
Assignment: Cadet-Val Jahnke Training Facility, Class 2015G
Buried: Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont, Texas, Garden of Love, Plot D, Lot 76, Space 2
Steven was a well-respected cadet, mentor and motivator to many of his
classmates and had only two and a half months left of his training. He was
thirty two and older than most of his fellow cadets. His class graduated
June 16, 2016
and dedicated the ceremony to him. Class 2015G placed a memorial plaque
at the Val Jahnke Training Facility in his honor. |
Clifford Allen Wiese
Born:
June 10, 1891, in Houston, Texas
Died:
July 14, 1913, at age 22
7th
HFD Line of Duty Death
Entered the HFD: July 4, 1913
Assignment: Pipe and Ladderman-Hose Company No. 3
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