HOUSTON — Hundreds of firefighters, family and community members gathered to remember fallen firefighter Marcelo "Ox" Garcia at his funeral Wednesday morning.
Garcia was killed on Nov. 6 while battling a three-alarm warehouse fire in the Greater East End.
The Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart was filled with firefighters in uniform, friends, family and the public. Speakers say his death is a tremendous loss and paid their final respects.
Garcia's sister, Mayor John Whitmire and Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz were among those who spoke.
"Today, Houston is one united city," Houston Mayor John Whitmire said during the service. "Everyone in here needs love, support."
"We lost a brother, a brother who woke up every day to make a difference in the lives of others," Muñoz said. "That included putting his life before others and paying the ultimate sacrifice as a Houston firefighter."
Known as "Ox," Garcia worked out of Fire Station No. 23 — in the same community where he grew up. Garcia's dedication to staying in the neighborhood where he spent his childhood was a hallmark of his spirit, his colleagues said.
"You clearly gave it your all with this selfless action so others will hear the call," Muñoz said. "So take your place of honor among those who have gone before and know you will be remembered for now and evermore. For all our sisters and brothers who have gone before: know you're getting a great one."
Garcia's family was presented with the Medal of Honor.
The men he worked alongside said they would carry on his legacy.
"We'll fight every day to serve your community, your home, your family and your friends," Max Archer, who worked with Garcia at Fire Station No. 23, said.
Garcia was also remembered as a man who loved his family and spread joy to those he came into contact with.
"He was just always smiling, he had a charm and charisma that made people gravitate towards him," Erica Garcia, Marcelo's sister, told those gathered for the service. "To say the world was a better place with him in it is an understatement."
Erica Garcia said Marcelo's spirit was a gift not just for his family, but for his community.
"Even though I was his big sister, I always looked up to him," Erica Garcia said. "He always knew what to say and how to make things better. He was my hero and now he's everyone's hero."
Garcia's name will be added to the International Association of Firefighters Memorial in Colorado Springs, Colo.
More on Marcelo Garcia
Garcia, 42, died last week after a wall fell on him as he was fighting a fire at a vacant warehouse on Polk Street.
Garcia’s public funeral started at 9 a.m. at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 1111 St. Joseph Parkway. The service was streamed on KHOU 11+.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire asked drivers in Houston and those commuting to Houston to turn their headlights on to honor Garcia. Flags were also at half-staff.
Arrest in the case
The woman arrested for allegedly starting the fatal fire, Yesenia Espinoza Mendez, 38, was charged with arson-bodily injury or death.
Charging documents claim Espinoza lit materials in a warehouse that grew quickly. That fire ultimately led to Garcia's death and another firefighter being injured, the documents said.
HFD said a wall collapsed while Garcia was battling the fire in Houston's East End. Firefighters had to pull Garcia out from the rubble and were unable to resuscitate him.
Houston METRO police were able to identify Espinoza as a suspect through facial recognition software after surveillance video showed her leaving the scene and getting on a METRO train.
On Saturday, in probable cause court, a judge granted Espinoza a $100,000 surety bond.
Espinoza is a mother of six. Her family told KHOU 11 News she's had a tough life, suffering from mental health issues such as depression.
More than 100 firefighters responded to the three-alarm fire.