Firefighters From Across Country Honor Fallen Hero
4,500 Attend Funeral Service
POSTED: Wednesday, February 23, 2005
UPDATED: 4:45 pm CST February 23,
2005
HOUSTON -- Friends, family and thousands of firefighters from around the country gathered at a southeast Houston church Wednesday to honor a firefighter killed in the line of duty.
Houston Fire Department Capt. Grady Burke, 39, died Saturday when the roof of the vacant house in the 8500 block of Brandon Street collapsed, trapping him. Firefighters entered the burning home at about 6 a.m. Saturday to make sure no one was inside. Six other firefighters were injured, but none of those injuries required hospitalization.
Slideshow: Pictures From Fallen Firefighter's Funeral
About 4,500 people attended Burke's funeral at the Grace Community Church, which started at 11 a.m. and wrapped up at 12:30 p.m."Grady was very strong and he was a courageous firefighter, but most of all, he was our friend," a mourner said."He touched us as a leader. He touched us as a husband to Cindy, a good father to his kids," another mourner said."Aren't we blessed that God has put on this world some people that seem to be born with a value system -- that they would live their life in sacrifice and service to others," Houston Mayor Bill White said.
Fire departments from across the country drove fire engines and walked the mile-long funeral procession."We feel like we are all brothers, like we are all one family across the United States. We feel like if somebody dies in the line of duty, that out of respect for that brother, you come and pay your respects to him no matter who he is," Waco Fire Department official Joe Singer told Local 2.Strangers also stopped their cars honor the fallen firefighter."We were on our way to the doctor but we decided to stop and pay our respects," Gloria Rivera told Local 2."It's the first one I've seen. It actually made me cry," an unidentified motorist said.A viewing was held Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster.
Burke was a 12-year veteran of the department and was promoted to captain in March 2003. He was awarded a medal of valor for helping rescue a trapped victim from a house fire in November 2003. He worked out of Station 46 on the southeast side.He is the 59th Houston firefighter to die in the line of duty. The last was Kevin Kulow, who died in April.Burke was married with two daughters and one son.Jack Cordua, 44, the man accused of starting the fire that took Burke's life, remained in police custody Wednesday. He has been charged with possession of a controlled substance.Arson investigators believe Cordua lit the fire inside the home so that he could see to light crack pipe.
1907 Freeman St.
Houston, TX 77009 Checks should be made payable to the Last Alarm Club.The 100 Club is also accepting donations on Burke's behalf. For more information, call (713) 952-0100 or visit www.the100club.org.
Copyright 2006 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Team Coverage: The Procession, Service And Future ChangesSlideshow: Pictures From Fallen Firefighter's FuneralAbout 4,500 people attended Burke's funeral at the Grace Community Church, which started at 11 a.m. and wrapped up at 12:30 p.m."Grady was very strong and he was a courageous firefighter, but most of all, he was our friend," a mourner said."He touched us as a leader. He touched us as a husband to Cindy, a good father to his kids," another mourner said."Aren't we blessed that God has put on this world some people that seem to be born with a value system -- that they would live their life in sacrifice and service to others," Houston Mayor Bill White said.
Fire departments from across the country drove fire engines and walked the mile-long funeral procession."We feel like we are all brothers, like we are all one family across the United States. We feel like if somebody dies in the line of duty, that out of respect for that brother, you come and pay your respects to him no matter who he is," Waco Fire Department official Joe Singer told Local 2.Strangers also stopped their cars honor the fallen firefighter."We were on our way to the doctor but we decided to stop and pay our respects," Gloria Rivera told Local 2."It's the first one I've seen. It actually made me cry," an unidentified motorist said.A viewing was held Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. at the Forest Park East Funeral Home in Webster.
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Donations Accepted For Burke's Family
The Last Alarm Club of Houston is accepting donations to support Burke's family.Donations may be made by visiting the Last Alarm Club Web site at www.lastalarmclub.org or mailed to: The Last Alarm Club1907 Freeman St.
Houston, TX 77009 Checks should be made payable to the Last Alarm Club.The 100 Club is also accepting donations on Burke's behalf. For more information, call (713) 952-0100 or visit www.the100club.org.
Previous Stories:
February 22, 2005: Family, Friends Pay Respect To Fallen Firefighter
February 21, 2005: Man Charged In Connection With Firefighter's Death- February 20, 2005: Houston Firefighter Dies Battling House Fire
Copyright 2006 by Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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