Captain Aaron Rios, 46, of the Houston Fire Department, passed away on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, following an off-duty medical emergency that occurred during the holiday season. The announcement was made by Houston Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz.
Captain Rios joined the department in September 2003 and was promoted to the rank of Captain in 2017. He most recently served at Station 104 on D-shift in Kingwood.
“Captain Rios was a great man by all accounts, and the Houston Fire Department was privileged to benefit from his work,” said Fire Chief Thomas Muñoz. “My heart breaks for his family, both those at home and his extended family here in the department.”
A vigil was held Wednesday evening at HCA Kingwood Hospital, where more than 100 firefighters and civilians gathered to honor Captain Rios’s life and legacy.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire also expressed his condolences, stating, “The City of Houston mourns the loss of Capt. Rios, a courageous firefighter and committed public servant. His dedication to the Houston Fire Department will always be remembered. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.”
Funeral arrangements are pending. The Firefighter Support Network will provide assistance to the Rios family in the coming days.
