Houston Fire Captain Dies after Weekslong COVID-19 Battle

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A veteran Houston fire captain died Tuesday following a weekslong battle with COVID-19.

Capt. Tommy Searcy, 45, served with the Houston Fire Department for 18 years, and he had been hospitalized with the virus for several weeks, the department and firefighters union said in online updates. His death will be considered in the line of duty, and he is the third Houston firefighter to die from COVID-19, the union added.

"Capt. Searcy leaves behind a loving family, many friends and a long list of Houston firefighters who respected and enjoyed working with him," Patrick M. "Marty" Lancton, the union's president, said in a statement.

Searcy is survived by three daughters and a twin brother, according to the union. Memorial services are pending.