Son of firefighter killed in line of duty gets special graduation celebration

HOUSTON – High school graduation is a milestone moment for just about every student and for their family as well.

But 17-year-old Kyle Kulow's commencement from Bellville High School in Austin County means something extra special to his family and a group of firefighters who showed up for the graduation.

"We're proud of him for coming this far and just doing as good as he did without his dad," says Kyle's uncle Keith Kulow.

Kyle's father, Kevin, was a firefighter with the Houston Fire Department when, in 2004, he lost his life in the line of duty. He had entered a nightclub called the El Festival Ballroom on the 7600 block of Kempwood Drive in northwest Houston with five of his comrades when they were told people possibly were still inside the building.

"Kevin would be the first one inside to something," recalls his brother Keith. "I mean, first one in, last one out. That was Kevin's deal. The hotter it was, the more he liked it."

While two of the firefighters were injured, Kevin Kulow never made it out alive. The firefighters who showed up for his graduation, with banners and a fire engine, knew Kevin and had worked beside him. They wanted to stand for his son Kyle, who was only4 years old when his father died.

"We just wanted to let him know that we're here throughout his life to support him," says Senior Captain Beda Kent, with the Houston Fire Department. "All his endeavors, and let him know we have not forgotten."

And his family believes Kevin Kulow would've been a proud father on this special day.

"He would be sparkling," says Kevin's father, Daniel. "Unfortunately, he's not here to see it but that's why we're giving a salute to him."

Kevin Kulow had worked for 14 years as a firefighter with the Sealy Fire Department when he became a rookie for the Houston Fire Department. He had been a firefighter there for just seven months when he lost his life. An investigation determined the fire at the El Festival Ballroom was the result of arson.

His son Kyke Kulow will attend nursing school with the help of a scholarship from the Dennis Holder Scholarship fund.

It's a nonprofit that helps send the children and grandchildren of Houston firefighters to college. Kyle hopes to one day become a paramedic and serve the community as his father did.

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Emmy Award-winning anchor, husband, dad, German Shepherd owner, Crossfitter, Game of Thrones junkie, chupacabra hunter.