04/17/2026
NEVER FORGET 4-17-13: We pause today in remembrance of 15 brilliant lives lost thirteen years ago today in the West, Texas plant explosion.
Morris Bridges Jr., 41, a fire sprinkler technician for Action Fire Pro in Waxahachie and a member of West Volunteer Fire Department.
Perry Calvin, 37, a student at Hill College Fire Academy and a member of Mertens and Navarro Mills volunteer fire departments.
Jerry Chapman, 26, a member of Abbott Volunteer Fire Department and in training to become an emergency medical technician.
Cody Dragoo, 50, a foreman at West Fertilizer Co. and a member of West Volunteer Fire Department.
Kenneth “Luckey” Harris Jr., 52, a Dallas Fire-Rescue captain and owner of Harris Home Inspections and Construction.
Adolph Lander, 96, a resident of West Rest Haven Nursing Home who died the day after the explosion. His death is attributed to trauma from the blast.
Jimmy Matus, 52, owner of Westex Welding. West Honorary Firefighter.
Judith Monroe, 65, a native of Sinton, Texas, moved to West in 2001. She was in the apartment complex adjacent to the West Fertilizer Co. plant when it exploded.
Joey Pustejovsky Jr., 29, secretary for the city of West and a volunteer firefighter. His parents and son have spearheaded a project to rebuild the town park complete with a memorial to those lost in the blast.
Cyrus Reed, 29, a member of Abbott Volunteer Fire Department. He was completing his last night of EMT basic training when he went to assist at the plant fire.
Mariano C. Saldivar, 57, a native of Mexico, lived in an apartment complex adjacent to the fertilizer plant. Saldivar retired to West after working for years in the warehousing industry in California.
Kevin Sanders, 33, a member of Bruceville-Eddy Volunteer Fire Department, was taking an EMT class when he went to assist at the plant fire.
Doug Snokhous, 50, a Central Texas Iron Works employee and a member of West Volunteer Fire Department.
Robert Snokhous, 48, a Central Texas Iron Works employee and a member of West Volunteer Fire Department.
William “Buck” Uptmor Jr., 45, owner of fence-building company Uptmor Welding and Construction. West Honorary Firefighter.
