Another HFD firefighter hospitalized with coronavirus

HOUSTON – The Houston Fire Department is asking for prayers as another one of their own battles the coronavirus in the hospital.

Houston Fire Station 67 is a home to heroes but right, one is missing. Capt. Tommy Searcy is fighting a different kind of life and death battle, one over the coronavirus. His brother, Tony, is also a Houston firefighter.

“Stressful, I mean obviously it’s a stressful time,” Tony Searcy said.

Tommy’s best friend, Alan Niles, fights fires alongside him at Fire Station 67.

“I love you Tommy and if you’re watching this brother, I love you. I need you to pull through this,” Niles said.

Niles said Tommy has been in the hospital for about a week and has had a difficult time speaking.

“I have seen some pretty bad stuff in this line of work that I do, but seeing him taking breath, after breath, after breath after, only being able to say a few words is very hard to see,” Niles said.

“And another thing he said going through this is a lonely thing, you don’t normally have the people you would have when you’re sick,” Tony Searcy said.

So Thursday, HFD chaplains stepped up to help, planning a surprise event outside the hospital for Searcy.

“We felt the best way we could show a sign of support is to gather outside, the best way we could, closest to him to be able to give him some positive and uplifting prayers,” said Houston Fire Chaplain Richard Ponce.

Hospital workers, firefighters and community came out on short notice to pray for Searcy who has served our community for over a decade.

“And he said it was just remarkable how many people came out, how much support, it was amazing, his words exactly,” said Tony Searcy.

“Cry out to God, he’s my best friend, he’s my captain, cry out to God and just please ask him to Help Tommy,” Niles said.

The request for prayer comes days after HFD lost a second member due to coronavirus.

Houston Fire Chief Sam Peña tweeted Monday that Houston firefighter paramedic and 17-year veteran Jerry Pacheco, 50, died from complications of COVID-19 on Monday morning.

The first member of the HFD to die from complications due to coronavirus was Capt. Leroy Lucio, who died on July 20. He was a 29-year veteran of the department.

Both Pacheco and Lucio also worked in Kingwood at stations 101 and 103 respectively.