Dallas Fire-Rescue stories of bravery and sacrifice: Michael L. DePauw

A firefighter is never truly off duty. When Dallas Fire-Rescue (DFR) Captain Michael L. DePauw wasn’t at the firehouse he could be found making fire safety presentations to elementary students, mentoring his fellow firefighters and helping others in the community. Leader, mentor, husband, father, dedicated fire professional, paramedic and selfless servant are heavy responsibilities for anyone. Mike made it look easy every day of his 51 years.

A native of San Angelo, Texas, DePauw moved to Dallas after high school to attend Dallas County Community Colleges and North Texas State in Denton. He joined DFR in 1972.

Captain Michael DePauw answered the final alarm on December 5‚ 2002 while leading his Engine 56 team fighting a two-alarm residential fire. DePauw gave 30 years of dedicated selfless service to DFR and the citizens of Dallas.

DePauw had a special place in his heart for his five children and two grandchildren, often doting and traveling with them for skiing, deep sea fishing and lake adventures. According to his beloved wife, Sharon, Mike ran a construction business where he often performed work at discounted prices to help those just barely scraping by financially. Payment was often made by barter. At the time of his passing‚ DePauw was building the family retirement home on Lake Bob Sandlin in East Texas.

Since its inception, DFR has lost 70 people in the line of duty. From John Clark in 1902 to William Scott Tanksley in 2014, DFR firefighters and paramedics have answered the final alarm with a long history of tradition, selflessness and sacrifice.

DFR will hold a 2015 Memorial Service at 10 a.m. Oct. 24 at 5000 Dolphin Road. This every five-year event will honor fallen firefighters and their families. To learn more about Dallas Fire-Rescue and review their incredible history visit: http://www.dallasfirerescue.com/.