S.A. honors firefighter killed on duty
SAN ANTONIO — Thousands converged from the heart of downtown to the outskirts of the city to pay tribute to Scott Deem, the first San Antonio firefighter killed in the line of duty in 20 years.
The all-day commemorations culminated in a traditional Catholic Mass officiated by Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller and the ringing of the bell and the sounding of the final alarm, a time-honored firefighting tradition. The call was broadcast over the radio system for Deem’s brothers and sisters to hear.
“Scott Patrick Deem was dedicated to this department and the citizens he protected,” San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said during the funeral. “Scott will leave behind a legacy of bravery, commitment and service.”
Deem, 31, joined the San Antonio Fire Department six years ago. He was killed in a Northwest Side fire on May 18 while searching for potential victims. Two other firefighters, Brad Phipps and Robert Vasquez, were also injured in the blaze.
During the service, family and friends remembered Deem as a dedicated first responder, a devoted Dallas Cowboys fan, and most of all, a family man.
“Scott was, is, the heart and soul of our crew,” said firefighter Robert Arenaga, who worked alongside Deem at Station 35. “I remember him coming in as a rookie, ready to learn, ready to work. Six years later, he was still our hardest worker. Scott exemplified character, courage — all the things this department strives to stand for.”
Robert Emmitt, pastor emeritus at Community Bible Church and San Antonio Fire Department chaplain, thanked Deem’s widow, Jennifer, who met her high school sweetheart when they were teenagers working at Arby’s.
Emmitt also addressed the couple’s two children, 13-year-old Dakota and 7-year-old Tyler, and their unborn daughter.
“You all have made the ultimate sacrifice,” Emmitt told them. “I thank you, on behalf of the church, on behalf of the whole city, for the price you have paid.”
Earlier in the afternoon, Mayor Ivy Taylor and State Sen. Donna Campbell addressed the family. Campbell took the place of Gov. Greg Abbott, who initially planned to attend.
“(Scott) went to work every day knowing that part of his job description meant he might not come home to his family,” Campbell said. “Now Scott is in his final home, leaving us heartbroken and forever indebted.”
At the Alamo, the silver limousine carrying Deem’s family stopped, lingering briefly to take in the historic shrine.
Dozens of firefighters, each with a black band over their badge, lined the street to watch the commemorations. Hundreds of onlookers gathered too, one with a sign reading “God Bless You.”
Nine-year-old Maddie Resendez stood at attention nearly the whole time with her small hand positioned to her forehead. After the procession passed, Maddie ran up to several firefighters, giving each of them a hug. Her friend, 10-year-old Trinity Vasquez, did the same.
“They do so much for us,” Trinity said. “And we should do something in return.”