Community remembers fallen HFD Cadet Steven R. Whitfield II

HOUSTON – A memorial service was held Wednesday for a Houston Fire Department cadet who died during a training session last week. 

Steven R. Whitfield II, who was assigned to Class 2015 - G at the Val Jahnke Training Facility, collapsed and died on Thursday.

The processional began at 8 a.m. followed by the memorial service at 9 a.m. at Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.

"You need to know you're amazing and you are something special," his sister Lauren Tucker said while reading a letter to Whitfield. "You live your life. You have done more in 32 years than most people do in a lifetime."

Whitfield joined HFD's academy last October and planned to graduate in June. Although he had not yet officially become a Houston firefighter, everyone honored him as one on Wednesday.

Before becoming a cadet, Whitfield was a teacher, basketball coach and a member of the Texas National Guard. 

He lived a life of service and a life many people admired.

“Steven, you did so much. I want you to know that you are great. You did great things. Grandpa would be so proud,” said Tucker.

"He pushed us all. He set the bar extremely high for all of us," classmate and friend Ramiz Razzouq said. "The fire department would've been a better place with him, but now heaven is better with him."

Whitfield, 32, was participating in an obstacle course exercise when he collapsed near the end, according to firefighters. Authorities said other cadets and instructors on the course noticed Whitfield was in trouble and rushed to his aid.

The group used CPR in an attempt to resuscitate him but was unsuccessful, officials said.

The cadet was taken to Memorial Hermann Texas Trauma Institute, where doctors continued to work on him. Whitfield was pronounced dead at 12:48 p.m.

"It is a dangerous job, and he signed up for a dangerous assignment. While in the line of duty preparing for this particular job, being a public servant, he lost his life. This city will be forever grateful," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said.

Whitfield will be buried Wednesday afternoon in Beaumont. The funeral and graveside service will be held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home at 4955 Pine Street in Beaumont.

“Firefighters should never be remembered for what they do, but for what they're willing to do,” said Captain Michael Mire.