A Shumard Oak was planted Feb. 10 on the esplanade at West 18th Street and Seamist Drive. The tree serves as a memorial to Houston Arson Bureau investigator Lemuel Bruce, who was killed in the line of duty in the neighborhood in October.
As the tree was dedicated, a couple dozen men and women from the Houston Fire Department joined as support, including Houston Fire Chief Samuel Pena, Assistant Chief Michelle McLeod, Fire Marshal Assistant Chief Alfredo Martinez, Chief Investigator Alison Stein and many from the arson bureau. Bruce s widow, Rachel, also attended.
âThis is a living tribute to Lemuel Bruce and this is going to be here for many decades to come,â Pena said. âThis is going to be forever a testament to the memory of Lemuel Bruce who was tragically taken from us.â