Members of the Rodeo, along with community leaders and local and state officials, gathered to honor fallen heroes and recognize the brave men and women currently serving during the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo First Responders Day, presented by bp America.
Since 2018, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has hosted First Responders Day, presented by bp, recognizing law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMS personnel and dispatchers for their service to the community.
“We have this day at the Rodeo to say thank you to our first responders for the work they do every day,” said Kelly Cook, captain of public relations for the Armed Forces Appreciation Committee.
Throughout the day, participants attended the First Responders Day Honor and Awards Ceremony, heard from first responders across the Houston area and explored emergency vehicles on display.
Kimberly Lewis, chairman of the Armed Forces Appreciation Committee, opened the ceremony by describing the purpose of First Responders Day and explaining the process used to select this year’s honorees.
“I stand before you with the greatest respect and deepest gratitude for every first responder and the families who support them,” Lewis said.
Guests included Chris Boleman, president and CEO of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; Robert Howden, senior adviser and director of legislative affairs for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott; and Andy Krieger, senior vice president of Gulf of America and Canada for bp America.
Boleman called First Responders Day “one of our most special days.” The ceremony recognized first responders who demonstrated exceptional service and sacrifice in their communities.
“My whole goal in law enforcement is to save lives,” said Deputy Eugenia Long, one of the honorees. “If I can save one life, I am doing something good.”
Volunteer Honorees
- Volunteer Individual – Chief Stan Kozlowski, Friendswood Volunteer Fire Department, has mentored and trained firefighters for more than 30 years.
- Volunteer Group – 300 Justice Road, a BBQ cook team, helped during the Fourth of July floods that struck Kerr County
First Responders of the Year Honorees
- Group
- Harris County Sheriff’s Dive Team – David Jasper (Steve Twitty, Ben Luce, Kelley Hudson, Jerry Jones, Jason Denby, Javier Rojas, David Mascari, Clarence Kerth, Eric Basse, Carlos Medrano, Marco Flores and Joshua Blair), persevered through their recovery mission during the Kerr County floods despite harsh conditions
- Individuals
- Captain Aaron Strain, Harris County Constable Pct. 4, acted with bravery when saving an elderly man from a fire
- Deputy Eugenia Long, Harris County Constable Pct. 7, Toll Road Division, demonstrated empathy in a dangerous situation with a woman on a bridge
- Chief of Police, Johnny Spires, Pearland Police Department and Deputy Constable Ray Trevino, Brazoria County Precinct 3 Constable, displayed courage while rescuing a lady from a trapped car fire during a fire
- Sergeant Mathew Gonzales and Sergeant Jordan Boepple, Harris County Constable Pct. 4, provided support to a female in mental distress during a welfare check
- Deputy Joshua Blair, and Deputy Louie Ayala, Harris County Sheriff’s Office, responded to a wrong-way driver with courage and swiftness, putting themselves at risk in the process