03-05-2025
6 fallen firefighters from Texas will be honored this weekend. Here's who they are
This weekend, the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation will honor 70 firefighters who died in the line of duty in 2024.
The 44th National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend will also honor 70 more firefighters who died in previous years. In total, six were from Texas.
'Each of these 140 firefighters made the ultimate sacrifice in service to others – a profound sacrifice that defines true heroism,' Victor Stagnaro, CEO of the NFFF said in a release. 'Memorial Weekend is a time for our nation to come together to honor their bravery, to stand beside their families, and ensure their legacy lives on in every community they so selflessly served.'
Six Texas firefighters are being honored during this year's National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Weekend:
Lieutenant Charles "Buddy" Freeman II, of the Montgomery County Fire Department Emergency Services District, died on Sept. 29, 2023. He had responded to a possible carbon monoxide leak on July 9. The following morning, he suffered a heart attack and later died from complications following multiple heart surgeries, according to the U.S. Fire Administration. He did not return to duty after the hazardous materials incident.
Firefighter and Paramedic G. Wade Cannon, of the Flower Mound Fire Department, died in 2022 from colon cancer.
Firefighter Marcelo "Ox" Garcia III, of the Houston Fire Department, died on Nov. 6, 2023, after a wall collapsed on him while he was battling a fire at a vacant warehouse.
Assistant Chief Scott Glass, of Perryton Fire and EMS, died on Oct. 20 from a head injury caused when he was struck by a 5-inch hose that whipped unexpectedly while being charged with water during a structure fire.
Safety Officer Daniel R. "Dan" Potts Sr., of City of Whitney Fire and Rescue, died in 2023 from a heart attack while responding to an early-morning structure fire. He passed away before reaching the scene.
Chief Zebulin Earl "Zeb" Smith, of the Fritch Volunteer Fire Department, died in March 2024 from a heart attack while battling a structure fire. He had been fighting wildfires for nine consecutive days during a weeks-long wildfire outbreak that scorched much of the same area. It was the largest wildfire in state history.
There will be two events open to the public at the National Emergency Training Center in Emmitsburg, Maryland: a candlelight service on Saturday, May 3, and a memorial service on Sunday, May 4, when flags will also be at half-staff to honor those individuals. Both events will be streamed live.
The candlelight service will be held from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
A memorial service will be held from 9 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. CT on Sunday, May 4, 2025.
The NFFF will live stream both events on their website ( YouTube channel, and Facebook page.
Even if you can't make it, there are ways to pay tribute to this year's honored firefighters.
Light the Night for Fallen Firefighters (April 27 - May 4): Light your homes, businesses, landmarks or fire departments with red lights.
Bells Across America (May 3-4): Sign up to ring bells across the country.
Sound the Sirens (May 4): At noon, many fire stations will sound their sirens in honor of fallen firefighters.
Sign the Remembrance Banner: You can pay tribute to a specific firefighter or share a story.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: These 6 fallen Texas firefighters will be honored this weekend
