Katy firefighter kills self while on duty
The Katy Fire Department says one of its firefighters/EMTs shot and killed himself while on duty Sunday. KHOU
Drew Karedes and KHOU.com, KHOU 11 News 2:09 p.m. CDT August 24, 2015
(Photo: KHOU 11)
KATY, Texas – The Katy Fire Department says one of its firefighters/EMTs shot and killed himself while on duty Sunday.
Eleven other firefighters were at the station when the 30-year-old firefighter shot himself, Katy officials say. It happened inside a dorm before 4 p.m. Sunday.
The young man died after being taken to the hospital by Life Flight.
Katy FD Chief Rufus Summers says the entire department is devastated following the events that unfolded here inside the firehouse.
Family members asked that the fire department not identify the firefighter who took his life, and the fire department says it is respecting those wishes.
KHOU 11 News was told that he has been with Katy Fire Department for about two years and was not married.
The fire chief says he was not aware of personal trouble involving this particular firefighter. He added everyone here is doing their best to carry on as usual, to serve the people here in Katy.
“He seemed to be a happy spirited person,” Summers said. “He’s well respected, he’s well liked. The department is just in shambles right now. We’re continuing to deliver service, we’ve organized the shifts that weren’t here have stepped in and helped us out with it.”
KFD does have a policy of no guns on the premises, but the chief says this is not something that is checked up on and strictly enforced.
Grief counselors are now on hand to help firefighters and other employees through this difficult time.
Katy FD Chief comments on firefighter's death (Photo: KHOU 11)