Behind the Badge
Orange County Fire Authority personnel at Station 64 had a nickname for Capt. Eric Weuve: Xerxes, after the imposing, bald king of Persia from the movie “300,” because people took notice when he entered a room.
Dozens of visitors at the Huntington Beach Pier took notice Monday as hundreds of firefighters, paramedics, police officers and their family members gathered at Pier Plaza to celebrate Weuve, who died last week after jumping from an Interstate 5 overpass in Mission Viejo.
Weuve, 41, had worked a total of 16 years combined at the Huntington Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority. When he died, he was assigned to the OCFA’s Station 64 in Westminster. He had been back on the job since November after a seven-month hiatus due to major shoulder surgery.
Melanie Weuve, wife of OCFA Capt. Eric Weuve, gives her son Parker, 14, a hug during a memorial service for his father.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Matt Schuetz, one of Weuve’s close friends and longtime crew members, recalled how the pair first met in 1987 playing Pee Wee football in Mission Viejo. The two lost touch but united after both became firefighters.
“One of the qualities I admired most about Eric was the drive he had in anything he attempted,” Schuetz said. “I cannot recall a time when Eric Weuve lost his cool.”
As a mentor to young firefighters, Weueve had an ability to teach that made it a pleasure to be a student, and he understood the reality that some students learn slower.
While addressing Weuve’s wife, Melanie, son Parker, 14, and daughter Brooklyn, 6, Schuetz said he and his fellow firefighters and paramedics will be around to make things easier.
Mourners gather to celebrate the life of Capt. Eric Weuve.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“I cannot imagine what pain you are feeling as you deal with this tragedy,” he said.
Westminster Police Commander Bill Collins was not only a professional friend of Weuve because both worked in the same city, but also a personal friend because their children went to the same school.
“When you would see him with his kids he would just light up with joy,” Collins told Behind the Badge OC.
Collins added that police and firefighters are one team with a shared value for the importance of family, partly because of their long, hazardous shifts.
Melanie Weuve, wife of OCFA Capt. Eric Weuve, holds her daughter Brooklyn, 6, during a memorial service for Capt. Weuve. Next to her are her 14-year-old son Parker and Ryan McKibben, Eric’s half brother.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
“It’s just important for them to know that we’re here for them, just like they’ve been there for us,” Collins said.
Schuetz said despite the horrible circumstances of Weuve’s death, he felt much better after seeing other fire and police agencies send representatives to Monday’s celebration of life.
Although it is not clear what caused Weuve to take his own life, the Station 64 crew plans to take an active role in preventing firefighter suicides caused by post-traumatic stress disorder.
“We’re going to help figure out better programs for assisting with PTSD,” Schuetz said.
The International Association of Firefighters said that in 2015, 132 firefighters committed suicide in the U.S. and that one of the reasons could be post-traumatic stress syndrome. The 132 firefighters who committed suicide in 2015 surpassed those who died of job-related injuries and illnesses, the IAOF said.
Erik Brown talks about his lifelong friend, Capt. Eric Weuve, during a memorial service next to the Huntington Beach Pier.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Citing studies from the Journal of Occupational Health, the IAOF says 20 percent of fire fighters and paramedics have PTSD. And the association cites a 2015 Florida State University study that concluded that nearly half of the firefighters surveyed (46.8 percent) have thought about suicide, 19.2 percent had suicide plans and 15.5 percent had made suicide attempts.
OCFA Fire Chief Jeff Bowman said Weuve’s death was particularly tragic because his agency is planning to launch a suicide prevention program in January. Bowman said many firefighters suffer from PTSD after calls involving children or terrorist attacks.
“Unfortunately, we hire on to be rescuers,” Bowman said. “We don’t want to be rescued, so we deny. I want to encourage everyone wearing a black, blue or any color uniform to look out for your brothers.”
OCFA Capt. Matthew Schuetz talks about his friend and colleague, Capt. Eric Weuve, during a memorial service at Huntington Beach Pier Plaza.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
While Bowman said it’s impossible to prevent every first-responder suicide, his goal is to minimize the chance of this ever happening again within the OCFA family.
After speaking, Bowman handed Weuve’s badge to his son and helmet to his daughter. He handed Melanie Weuve a folded American flag and squatted down to convey some comforting words.
Erik Brown, the best man at Weuve’s wedding, shared stories of how their friendship developed after playing ice hockey 30 years ago. Although he could play any position on the ice, Weuve was a goalie at heart, Brown said.
“Goalies are expected to protect, defend and sacrifice themselves,” he said. “I would say on the ice he protected the net. Off the ice he protected our lives.”
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Orange County Fire Authority firefighters attend the memorial service for Capt. Eric Weuve.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCFA’s Jon Biegler gives Capt. Eric Weuve’s 14-year-old son Parker a hug during a memorial service. Capt. Weuve’s wife, Melanie, and daughter, Brooklyn, are on left.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCFA Capt. Matthew Schuetz talks about his friend and colleague, Capt. Eric Weuve, during a memorial service Monday, Dec. 19.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCFA Fire Chief Jeff Bowman presents Capt. Eric Weuve’s wife, Melanie, a ceremonial flag during Capt. Weuve’s memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
OCFA Fire Chief Jeff Bowman kneels down to console Capt. Eric Weuve’s 14-year-old son, Parker, during a memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
The OCFA and HBFD Pipes & Drums band perform at Capt. Eric Weuve’s memorial service.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Ken Gabrielson talks about OCFA Capt. Eric Weuve during a memorial service at the base of the Huntington Beach Pier.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
Ingrid Weuve (left), mother of OCFA Capt. Eric Weuve, stands with Capt. Weuve’s 6-year-old daughter, Brooklyn, his wife Melanie and their son Parker, 14, during a memorial service for Capt. Weuve.
Photo by Steven Georges/Behind the Badge OC
