Howardwick remembers its heroes

Pager tones sounded, and fire engine sirens blared in Howardwick Monday evening to mark the first anniversary of an accident that injured two of that city’s firemen and ultimately resulted in the death of a third.

On March 12, 2006, the three firemen were battling the I-40 wildfire that burned 350,000 acres in an area 20 miles wide and 55 miles long in Donley, Gray, Wheeler, and Collingsworth counties over a period of several days. But at 6:59 p.m., their fire truck overturned while moving along a ravine ledge on a fresh cut firebreak.

“Twenty brave volunteers and five units from the City of Howardwick Volunteer Fire Department responded to the call of duty when the largest wildfire in Texas history swept across Donley County,” fireman Walt Rice recalled during Monday’s memorial service. “Only 17 of those brave volunteers and four units returned to the station.

Firemen Joey Garcia, Jeff Cook, and James McMorries were on that ill-fated truck. Clarendon Firebelles Chandra Holman and Rhonda Howell rushed to their sides and rendered critical assistance until they could be transported to Amarillo for treatment.

McMorries suffered multiple injuries and passed away on April 9.

Garcia and Cook spent months recovering from their injuries, and both men finally returned to work in December.

Cook’s wife, Lee Ann, said the Howardwick community is closer now than it was a year ago.

“We have a bond in our department that is unbreakable,” she said. “Tanis (McMorries) has joined our department and is right in the middle of us. The community is stronger, and we’re working hand in hand with Clarendon and Hedley.”

The days leading up to Monday’s anniversary were tough for Cook and the other families.

“I was nervous, scared, and thankful that we had some rain,” she said. “In fact, I talked to Tanis today, and she said that James had sent us this rain so we would not have to be in that mess again.”

In the year since the accident, the city has received new firefighting equipment, and Jeff Cook has become the department’s chief. One truck carries the names of the injured firemen, and the newest truck is nicknamed “Bad Boy” and reminds the department of McMorries.

“It is our pride and joy,” Rice said, “because it shines just as bright as the quick smile that we all remember on the face of James.”

Monday’s service included the lowering of City Hall’s flag to half-staff, scripture readings, and special music. Karen Rice read “The Firefighters’ Prayer,” and Milton Brown read “Cowboy in a Hardhat.” The flag was then returned to full-staff, and the ceremony was closed with a prayer by Bobby Murdock and the singing of “Amazing Grace,” led by Dianna Knight.