Funeral held for firefighter killed on duty

HOUSTON Araguz was an 11-year veteran of the Wharton Fire Department. But more than that, he was a husband and father of two.

"He was first a father, a wonderful husband, son, brother, friend," said his wife, Nikki Araguz.

Araguz , 30, died a week ago fighting a four-alarm accidental fire at an egg farm in Wharton County. His was one of more than 30 departments to respond to the inferno late July 3.

Fifteen minutes into the fight a mayday was called. Araguz was killed.

On Sunday, those who loved him, who knew him, and who respected him gathered to remember the man he was.

And so many of those who were there to pay tribute did not even know Araguz, though they fully understand the sacrifice he made.

"Honor one of our brothers, fallen firefighters, you know a tradition that we honor one of our own," said John Priddy with the Dickinson Fire Department.

Firefighters from close to 40 different departments were at the funeral on Sunday afternoon.

"Ceremony was wonderful. It was great," said Joe Guttierez with the Pearland Fire Department. "But it is sad to know one of our brothers has actually passed away like that."