HOUSTON – It's been one week and one day since six members of the Stay family were murdered in their home in Spring. There's no doubt that the first responders who were called to that scene have relived what they saw and felt every day since then.
On Thursday, the Stay's neighbors honored the first responders who rushed to Leaflet Lane immediately after the call for help.
Seven members of the Stay family had been shot. Only 15-year-old Cassidy Stay survived. She called 911 for help.
Sgt. George Beck of the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office was working in the neighborhood. He was the first on the scene.
"I just thank God that I was the first person that was sent there for a reason. I just have faith and came closer to my family, my wife, my kids, and it's just very touching. I will never forget It for the rest of my life," Sgt. Beck said.
He could not talk about the crime scene or the investigation. His interview with Local 2 was his first since the murders.
"I hope no one ever has to go through what I went through. I was put there for a purpose I believe. A lot of good has come out of this. Even though there was a lot of bad," said Beck.
He and another man set up a GoFundMe site to help 15-year-old survivor Cassidy Stay. In seven days, 6,600 people have raised more than $350,000.
One neighbor called Beck "a hero."
"I'm not a hero. Everyone who works here in public service are heroes. Cassidy is a hero. Without Cassidy, there would be more lives that were lost," Beck said.
Beck said the Stay family is now a part of his family. He said what he has experienced in the past week has changed how he lives.
"We don't need to sweat the small things with our children. I encourage everybody to hug their wives, their kids every day and overlook those messy rooms and things that are left behind. So I've learned a lot from that and it's changed my life," he said.
Beck said first responders are taught to deal with tragedy, but he said nothing can fully prepare you to deal with something like this tragedy.