To the Honor of Dr. Pierrel

[Guest guest]

Dr. Pierrel was the Houston Fire Department's psychologist

for over 10 years, initiating our very active CISM team, developing

a suicide prevention program for our firefighters and being our

special advocate for other critical needs. He worked with us, side-

by-side, accompanied us when times were tough, through many bad

situations and even when our personal lives took a fall. His service

to our members went well beyond his professional duties, and like

any dedicated member of our firefighting family, he placed himself

in harm's way to help so many of us in our times of need.

spent every extra moment he was given during his fight with

cancer exemplifying the characteristics of what a we all strive to

be and his commitment to service was the epitome of the fire

service. He was there during our personal losses, he was there when

the situation was more than what any human should have to encounter,

and he was there when as a department we grieved during our line-of-

duty deaths.

Through all these times, had the courage to continue to do

what he did best, care. He cared to make sure that those who need

help got it. He had the courage to face a grieving family, the

courage to walk into a room full of devastated firefighters, the

courage to sit face-to-face with someone who had lost all hope. That

type of courage was evident to those who sat across from him as he

reassured us of our ability to cope with a difficult situation,

together.

His compassion was coupled with his commitment to all those he

helped. We saw him at all hours of the day and night, often taking

time from his other duties and even family. He was on the scene

during our toughest times and in our homes when we needed a friend.

On August 7, 2008, left us. The many organizations he

devoted time and energy to including HFD will miss his life and

laughter (more of a Santa chuckle). A little over a year ago, he was

honored with a bench that was engraved with his name and a brief

dedication for the work he had done in our community. The bench was

placed at new Fire Station #8. The bench serves as a continual

reminder of our gratitude for his service to the many people in the

community and the Houston Fire Department. The bench was inscribed

as follows:

In Honor of Dr. Pierrel, H.F.D. Psychologist

Serving the Houston Community with Courage, Commitment and Compassion

We respond to the worst moments of an individual's life as we serve

the emergency needs of this community. Courage, Commitment and

Compassion epitomize what we do every day. In many ways it defines

not what we do, but instead, who we are and what we represent.

Because of his commitment, compassion and the courage he showed

during his personal struggle, sharing his " extra " time with us,

those words that described him so well were adopted as our

Department's motto. These are not just words to place on our

apparatus, but words which has shown us we can live by --

for they embody the special spirit that motivates each of us as

members of the emergency services community.

We will miss him greatly but know that his spirit will continue to

inspire us in our daily goal to serve others. As he served many

organizations in his work, we invite all those who were friends to

his Memorial Services: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 10 a.m., St.

Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer, Houston, Texas.

Almaguer, Senior Captain

Houston Fire Department - EMS

[Guest guest]

One of the nicest eulogies I've ever heard.

To the Honor of Dr. Pierrel

Dr. Pierrel was the Houston Fire Department's psychologist

for over 10 years, initiating our very active CISM team, developing

a suicide prevention program for our firefighters and being our

special advocate for other critical needs. He worked with us, side-

by-side, accompanied us when times were tough, through many bad

situations and even when our personal lives took a fall. His service

to our members went well beyond his professional duties, and like

any dedicated member of our firefighting family, he placed himself

in harm's way to help so many of us in our times of need.

spent every extra moment he was given during his fight with

cancer exemplifying the characteristics of what a we all strive to

be and his commitment to service was the epitome of the fire

service. He was there during our personal losses, he was there when

the situation was more than what any human should have to encounter,

and he was there when as a department we grieved during our line-of-

duty deaths.

Through all these times, had the courage to continue to do

what he did best, care. He cared to make sure that those who need

help got it. He had the courage to face a grieving family, the

courage to walk into a room full of devastated firefighters, the

courage to sit face-to-face with someone who had lost all hope. That

type of courage was evident to those who sat across from him as he

reassured us of our ability to cope with a difficult situation,

together.

His compassion was coupled with his commitment to all those he

helped. We saw him at all hours of the day and night, often taking

time from his other duties and even family. He was on the scene

during our toughest times and in our homes when we needed a friend.

On August 7, 2008, left us. The many organizations he

devoted time and energy to including HFD will miss his life and

laughter (more of a Santa chuckle). A little over a year ago, he was

honored with a bench that was engraved with his name and a brief

dedication for the work he had done in our community. The bench was

placed at new Fire Station #8. The bench serves as a continual

reminder of our gratitude for his service to the many people in the

community and the Houston Fire Department. The bench was inscribed

as follows:

In Honor of Dr. Pierrel, H.F.D. Psychologist

Serving the Houston Community with Courage, Commitment and Compassion

We respond to the worst moments of an individual's life as we serve

the emergency needs of this community. Courage, Commitment and

Compassion epitomize what we do every day. In many ways it defines

not what we do, but instead, who we are and what we represent.

Because of his commitment, compassion and the courage he showed

during his personal struggle, sharing his " extra " time with us,

those words that described him so well were adopted as our

Department's motto. These are not just words to place on our

apparatus, but words which has shown us we can live by --

for they embody the special spirit that motivates each of us as

members of the emergency services community.

We will miss him greatly but know that his spirit will continue to

inspire us in our daily goal to serve others. As he served many

organizations in his work, we invite all those who were friends to

his Memorial Services: Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 10 a.m., St.

Anne's Catholic Church, 2140 Westheimer, Houston, Texas.

Almaguer, Senior Captain

Houston Fire Department - EMS

[Guest guest]

May his journey to a better place be on a gentle trail. May a merciful Creator

comfort his family, friends and colleagues.

" A prudent man foresees the difficulties ahead and prepares for them; the

simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. "

Proverbs 22:3