Thousands gathered at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in downtown Houston to pay final respects to firefighter Marcelo “Ox” Garcia III, who lost his life in the line of duty during a warehouse fire in the city's East End. The 42-year-old was a dedicated member of the Houston Fire Department (HFD) for a decade, spending his last six years stationed at Station 23, as reported by Click2Houston.
HFD Chief Tom Muñoz emotionally declared at the service, "Today, we lost a brother," recognizing Garcia as "a true hero," Houston Chronicle reported. The solemn ceremony featured a procession including a fire truck bearing Garcia's flag-draped casket, followed by hundreds of his colleagues in uniform. During the proceedings, Garcia's family received several honors in his memory, including the department's medal of honor, his firefighter helmet, U.S. and Texas flags, and a Bible.
Garcia’s legacy extends beyond his role as a firefighter. He was a respected member of the community, known for his calm and composed demeanor, even in challenging situations. His commitment to public service was reflected in his strong connection to the neighborhood he served—Station 23 was located across from the high school he attended. Representatives from various fire departments, along with community members, gathered in what HFD Captain and public information officer Sedrick Robinett described as a meaningful moment for both the department and Garcia's family, "We have a lot of different agencies coming to support the Houston Fire Department, and I’ll tell you what the citizens really shown support it’s been very healing for us members of the fire department and for Marcelo Garcia’s family, we appreciate the support from the community," according to Click2Houston.
Garcia passed away when a wall collapsed on him and another firefighter while they were responding to a fire at an abandoned warehouse. His death is the first time in more than a decade that a Houston firefighter has died from injuries sustained in the line of duty. The loss has prompted an outpouring of support from the community. At the conclusion of Garcia's funeral service, the department rang a bell eight times in tribute, and a dispatcher broadcasted a citywide radio call to honor his memory, "Firefighter Garcia served with pride, honor and integrity," and, "You will be truly missed," Houston Chronicle captured.
The investigation of the warehouse fire continues as Yesenia Mendez Espinoza stands charged with first-degree arson for allegedly starting the fire, as per the details furnished by Click2Houston. Espinoza was arrested over the weekend and her bond is set at $100,000. Meanwhile, the memory of Marcelo “Ox” Garcia III will be commemorated as part of the city's history, with his name set to be added to the Houston Fire Memorial and the Fallen Firefighter Memorial in Colorado Springs.
