Honoring the firefighters who have been lost to our community, this space is dedicated to remembering their courage, dedication, and unwavering commitment to public safety.
Tribute to our fallen heroes
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – John 15:13 KJV
Kenneth A. Caldwell
Firefighter
Deceased: December 21, 1952
Nicknamed: ‘Kenny the Kid’
Kenneth A. Caldwell's Story
Became a member of the AFD on September 2‚ 1980.
Kenneth A. Caldwell of the Amarillo (TX) Fire Department passed away in the line of duty on August 16, 1982. Kenny passed away from injuries he suffered fighting a fire that took place at the Badger Apartments – July 18‚ 1982. These apartments were located at 11th & South Jackson in Amarillo and it was later determined that the cause of the blaze was arson.
Christopher Brian Hunton
Firefighter
Deceased: April 25, 2005
Nicknamed: ‘Shrek’
Christopher Brian Hunton's Story
Austin M. Williams, 33 years of age, a 10-year veteran of the Amarillo Fire Department, passed away while fighting a blaze in a downtown warehouse. He was crushed beneath a collapsed wall of hot bricks when the support beams burned out and gave way.
Austin “Hotshot” Williams left behind a young widow and two small children. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice, brother.
Robert Schwab
Assistant Fire Chief
Deceased: February 25, 1973
Nicknamed: ‘Bob’
Robert Schwab's Story
Assistant Fire Chief Robert “Bob” Schwab reported to work on February 24, 1973. Later that afternoon, he and fire crews responded to a structure fire in the 700 block of N. Johnson St. Several hours later, while back at the fire station, Chief Schwab suffered a heart attack and, despite the resuscitation efforts from fellow firefighters, passed away at 44 years of age. Chief Schwab was survived by his wife, Eleanor, and three sons, Robert, Jerry, and Gary.
Born on April 15, 1928, Chief Schwab began his career as a Firefighter for the City of Amarillo on July 13, 1949. On December 1, 1952, he was transferred to Record Clerk, holding that position until he became a Fire Driver on September 1, 1953. He was promoted to Lieutenant on September 10, 1957, and then to Fire Captain on January 16, 1962. On March 1, 1962, he became Drillmaster of the Department, and under his proficient guidance, the training program attained the mark of excellence it holds today. Chief Schwab became an Assistant Fire Chief on January 1, 1968, and served the City of Amarillo until his untimely death with 24 years of dedicated service.
The Amarillo Fire Department will be forever grateful for Chief Schwab’s sacrifice.
David Loar
District Chief
Deceased: June 12, 1973
David Loar's Story
David Loar passed away on June 12, 1973 after falling from a 25-foot overpass. The accident occurred about 3:30am as Loar was taking notes for an investigation of a cattle truck that caught fire and exploded on the Western Street overpass of the Canyon Expressway.
We honor you and thank you for your service Chief. Rest in peace.
Tim spent 32 years in law enforcement, retiring in 2013 from the Federal Bureau of Investigation as the Unit Chief of Law Enforcement Online of the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Services Division. During this time, he had overseas assignments in South America, Africa, and Asia, including tours in Iraq and Pakistan during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He then moved back to Amarillo and began a career in education, serving as the Director of Athletics and Campus Safety at Ascension Academy. During his tenure there, he also taught Geography, Crime Scene Forensics, and Geopolitics and coached boys’ and girls’ varsity basketball and tennis.
Tim has been a long-time advocate for children. From 1992 to 1997, he served as board president of Potter-Randall Counties Child Protective Services and helped co-found Amarillo Area CASA, where he served as board president in 1998. From 1997 to 2005, Mr. Reid served on the Canyon ISD Board of Trustees. He was elected to the Texas Association of School Boards and served as a budget committee member in 2005. Mr. Reid has also served as a board member of the Golden Spread Council of the Boy Scouts, Amarillo Zoo Friends, and presently serves on the advisory board of the Heart Gallery.
Tim and his wife Katy have a blended family with five children, Emily, John, Timothy, Mary Clair, and Emma, seven grandchildren, and one great-grandchild, Arabell.
Austin M. Williams
Firefighter
Deceased: May 7, 1936
Nicknamed: ‘Hotshot’
Austin M. Williams' Story
Les Simpson was elected to serve on the Amarillo City Council in June 2023. He’s been a resident of Amarillo since 2002.
Les was publisher of the Amarillo Globe-News from 2002-2018. After leaving the newspaper, he started his own business, The Entrepreneur’s Source. He helps clients explore business ownership as a possibility to reach their goals and has worked with many clients who have started their own businesses in Amarillo and across the country.
He has served in a variety of community roles, including co-chairing the United Way fundraising campaign and serving on the board of directors of the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, the West Texas A&M University Foundation, the Globe-News Center for the Performing Arts, the Amarillo Club and other community organizations.
He was the founding board president of Downtown Amarillo Inc. and a member of the City of Amarillo Local Government Corporation, which oversaw the development of several downtown catalyst projects, including Hodgetown, home of the AA affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Les is married to Denise, a pharmacist. They are members of First Baptist Church. Their family includes daughter Faith, her husband Taylor and their son Miller; daughter Meredith and a mini-Australian Shepherd, Murphy.