Memorial and Honor

	Ranger, Mascot Texas City Fire Department Died January 3, 2008. Ranger, the Texas City fire department’s beloved companion died of natural causes at the age of 13. He was given to the fire department in 1994 and he participated in public relations events for the department for years. The fire department’s sign at 1725 25th Street in Texas City honors Ranger.

	William T. Robertson III, Piper Galveston County Fire Fighters Pipes and Drums Died May 8, 2007. It is with the deepest regret that we announce the passing of our dear friend, P/M William T. "Robbie" Robertson. Robbie died on May 8, 2007 at 1:45 a.m. at the V.A. Hospital in Houston. Our sympathies are with his wife, Nancy, and daughters, Jessica and Jennifer. We consider ourselves blessed for having known him. Robbie's Musical Bio P/M William T. Robertson III, a march written in his honor (BMP \| MIDI \| BWW)

	Grady Burke, Captain Houston Fire Department Died February 19, 2005. Captain Grady Burke, Engine 46, was killed when the roof of an abandoned house on Brandon St. near Bellfort collapsed as he and six other firefighters were making an aggressive attack on the early morning fire on February 19, 2005. He was unable to escape after the collapse of the roof. The other firefighters were able to escape through windows or were rescued, and all suffered first- and second-degree burns. Burke entered the fire department on March 29, 1993. Captain Burke is survived by his wife Cindy and their three young children. He is buried at Forest Park East Cemetery located at 21620 Gulf Freeway in Webster

	Nito Guajardo, Firefighter Baytown Fire Department Died December 20, 2004. Firefighter Guajardo was part of a search and rescue crew at a working residential fire. Conditions deteriorated inside the house and the crew evacuated. Once outside, Guajardo was discovered missing. After the fire was controlled, he was found in the foyer by firefighters. Despite life saving efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. He had been a firefighter less than one year. Nito is buried at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster, Texas.

	Kevin Kulow, Firefighter Houston Fire Department Died April 4, 2004. Firefighter, Kevin Kulow of HFD Station 50 was killed and three others were injured while battling a blaze at the El Festival ballroom on Kempwood at Wirt. Thirty-two-year old Kevin Kulow was one of the first firefighters on the scene, and he entered the building as part of a three-man rescue team from Engine 50 searching for people reported trapped. Before the search had been completed, the fire intensified, and a signal was sounded to evacuate the building. Two of the rescue team got out, but Kulow did not make it before the roof collapsed. Two members of his crew and one from Ladder 77 were injured. His body was recovered as soon as the flames were knocked down. The fire was classified as an arson case and capital murder charges have been filed. Kulow joined the department in June, 2003 and had been a member of the Sealy Volunteer Fire Department for twelve years. Kevin is survived by his wife Maria, son Kyle, and stepson Justin.

	Gary Staley, Firefighter Porter Volunteer Fire Dept Died January 19, 2003. Firefighter Gary Staley in the line of duty while fighting a fire at an antique auto repair business in Montgomery County. Crews responded to building reporting heavy fire and smoke showing in the rear of the 100x100 building. Gary's crew had advanced an 1-3/4" line through the showroom and just into the shop area when an apparent flashover occurred. Three of his crew members on a hand line with him were able to find their way out of the building after exit air horns were sounded. Two were hospitalized for burns and one was treated on the scene and released. The two firefighters who were transported were on fire as they exited the building and had to be extinguished with a hand line. Gary was apparently unable to find his way out and was found in an office. Gary responded to more than 304 calls with the Porter Volunteer Fire Department in 2002 which put him in the 250 club for firefighters who have responded to more than 250 calls per year and was named rookie of the year for 2002. When he wasn't responding he was an accountant at Anadarko Petroleum. Staley, age 33, was an 18-month veteran of Porter Volunteer Fire Department. An 8-year-old daughter, Courtney, from a previous marriage, survives the 33-year-old single Hero. Gary is buried at Rosewood Cemetery on Hwy 59 N. in Humble, Texas.

	Jay Jahnke, Captain Houston Fire Department Died October 13, 2001. Captain Jay Jahnke, Engine 2, was killed at a six alarm high-rise apartment fire at S. Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Road on October 13, 2001. He responded on the first alarm and was on a search and rescue mission on the fire floor (5th). Upon the arrival to the fire floor, Jahnke and his firefighter were joined by the officer and firefighter of another ladder company. The four firefighters entered the occupancy and began to fight the fire. The two firefighters ran low on air and exited the occupancy. As they opened the stairway door, the fire conditions worsened dramatically. The captains decided to leave the occupancy by following the hoseline out but became separated in the hallway. Jahnke called for help. Responding firefighters found him because of his activated PASS device. Firefighters had difficulty removing the SCBA from Jahnke and by the time he was moved to an area of refuge, he was out of air. During the rescue attempt, two of the RIT companies had also become disoriented and had difficulty getting out of the structure. Captain Jahnke was a twenty-year veteran of the Houston Fire Department and was 40 years old. Jay is buried at Memorial Oaks Cemetery located at 13001 Katy Freeway.

	William Bethune, Captain Texas City Fire Department Died October 5, 1999. Captain William Bethune died en route to a call when the fire truck in which he was riding collided with a sedan and a concrete column at the underpass at Johnny Palmer Road and FM 1764 (a.k.a. Emmet Lowry Expressway) at about 9:45 a.m. He was not wearing a seatbelt and was ejected through the front windshield. Bethune was taken by helicopter to the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston. He was pronounced dead about 10:35 a.m. The truck was traveling north on Johnny Palmer Road to Mall of the Mainland responding to an EMS call for a person having difficulty breathing. Captain Bethune was less than one month shy of celebrating his twenty-fifth year as a firefighter with TCFD and was 58 years old.