It’s unclear if Captain Tony Fernandez died in the floods.
SAN ANTONIO — As Ingram Volunteer Fire Department personnel continue to pick through miles of debris in the aftermath of the July Fourth floods, it’s also now mourning the loss of a longtime leader.
The department shared on Facebook that Captain Tony Fernandez has died, calling him a “brother whose absence leaves a hole that can never be filled. He was with Ingram VFD for 15 years, the post says.
It’s unclear if Fernandez died as a result of the floods that overwhelmed Kerr County the morning of July Fourth.
Ingram VFD said his death represents “an even deeper tragedy” as the community continues to mourn the dozens who have died and more than 160 still missing as of Friday morning.
“He gave everything in service, not just to his department, but to this entire community,” the department wrote. “Now we mourn not only the loss of homes, stability and safety… but the loss of a soul who made our team whole.”
The Facebook post has been shared nearly 500 times in the initial hours after it was shared, with dozens of comments thanking Fernandez for being “a kind soul and friendly gentleman” and others sharing their condolences.
Ingram is about seven miles west of Kerrville, and was among the hardest-hit communities on July Fourth. Numerous homes were destroyed and lives upended.
One family had eight people at their home the night of July 3 and were eventually rescued from the roof. They later returned to find their dog sitting on the porch steps.
Ingram Fire Chief Diana Baccus said the agency was able to transition from emergency flood response to long-term rebuilding efforts after an overwhelming community response met their immediate disaster relief needs.
“Over the past few days, we have been overwhelmed—not just by the floodwaters that shook our community, but by the tidal wave of love, support and generosity that followed,” Baccus wrote in the department’s newsletter.
Despite the personal and operational challenges caused by the devastating flood, Baccus emphasized the department’s commitment to serving its community.
“We are not just firefighters,” she said. “We are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, friends and neighbors. And this community? It is everything to us.”