On December 21, the Tawakoni Fire Department hosted its annual Christmas Party and award ceremony, where Billy O’Neal was officially promoted to Assistant Chief. This position was previously held by the late Curtis Hough, who passed away from an illness contracted in the line of duty.
During the ceremony, the department clarified misconceptions regarding the Assistant Chief's radio call sign, Tawakoni 2. Upon Chief Hough’s passing, his helmet and leather shield were retired from service, but the call sign Tawakoni 2 was not permanently retired. The department explained that Tawakoni 2 is the designated position of Assistant Chief, just as Tawakoni 1 is for the Chief of the department. These positions remain essential to the department's operation and are passed on to successors to continue serving the community.
To honor Chief Hough’s legacy, the department has permanently retired his original number, Tawakoni 13, and continues to uphold the values and standards he established. The department expressed regret over any confusion caused by the misunderstanding and reaffirmed its commitment to honoring Chief Hough’s memory through ongoing service and growth.
The Tawakoni Fire Department extends its gratitude to Chief Hough’s family for their sacrifices and pledges to carry forward the legacy he left behind.
