HOUSTON (Houston Chroncile) – It was an hour before sunrise Friday, when firefighter Robert Garner eked open the front door to his family’s home in northwest Houston and stepped out into the darkness to report for duty.
The 29-year-old, wearing his dark uniform pants and boots, made just enough noise to awaken the man who’d raised him since he was 14 years old.
“I watched him walk out,” Jerry Veuleman said. “That was the last time I saw him.”
Garner and three other Houston firefighters died Friday after they attacked a fire devouring a hotel and restaurant on the Southwest Freeway.
Tragedy in Houston Four Firefighters Killed, 13 Injured Fighting Restaurant, Hotel Fire
Firefighters who lost their lives ranged in rank from a captain who had been on the job since 2001, to one who graduated from the academy in April.
“They were brother and sister firefighters,” said fireman Tommy Atkinson, who was among the white-gloved honor guard to watch over their bodies around the clock at the Harris County medical examiner’s office. “They died in the line of duty, doing what we do.”
The Houston Fire Department released minimal information about the fallen firefighters.
Not all of their families could be reached late Friday.
Capt. Matthew Renaud, 35, began his career with the department in 2001 and had recently been recognized for valor.
Robert Bebee, 41, was an engineer-operator who had also been on the job since 2001.
Come to grips
Anne Sullivan, 24, was the newest firefighter. She is reported to have graduated from Dulles High School in Sugar Land in 2007.
In the wake of the tragedy, firefighters and families of the fallen huddled to come to grips with the largest single day’s loss of life in the department’s history.
At Garner’s home, Veuleman said the death was hitting hard, but that he wanted people to know about Garner and the type of man he was.
“He wore the Houston Fire Department uniform with pride, and I was proud of him for wearing it.”
Garner played baseball in high school and went on to join the Air Force. He volunteered to accompany the Army during two tours in Afghanistan.
When he got out, he set his sights on being a fireman, and finished second in his class at the academy.
Like a concerned parent, Veuleman said he spoke to Garner about the dangers of battle, the same way he talked to him about fighting a fire.
” ‘Use your training. Don’t be a hero. God will look after you,’ ” he recalled telling him. “God chose it was time to take Robert and the other firefighters. We are sorry, but we are also blessed.”
‘American heroes’
Deric Smith, a guest who was living at the Southwest Inn, said he lost all his belongings in the blaze, but his thoughts and prayers were with the firefighters.
“They came and tried to save our lives, and they’re the ones who ended up perishing in the end,” he said. “To me, they’re American heroes.”
