02/22/2026
Alan L. Hildebrandt — Firefighter and Fighter
Today I remember Firefighter Alan Hildebrandt, who passed away on February 20, 2026, after a lifetime of service and integrity. Alan dedicated 31 years to the Houston Fire Department, protecting our city with courage and compassion.
But Alan’s legacy goes beyond the fire station. In 2002, while recovering from a serious shoulder injury, Alan stood up for what was right. The city had reassigned him from his 24-hour suppression shift to a day shift, causing his hard-earned sick leave to be depleted 23% faster. Alan filed a grievance—not just for himself, but for every firefighter who might face the same injustice. As a new attorney, I was privileged to represent Alan.
The arbitration was tough. The City argued his grievance was late and the policy was lawful. But Alan prevailed. In January 2003, the arbitrator ruled in his favor, ordering the City to restore his sick leave. It was a victory for fairness, for firefighters, and for the Civil Service protections that Alan believed in. But the fight was far from over.
The city had its feelings hurt, so they refused to give Alan his time back and filed suit against him in court to void the arbitration award. Again, I represented Alan, counter suing the City for the statutory $1,000 a day penalty, and securing victory in the District Court, Court of Appeals, and ultimately the Texas Supreme Court.
As depicted in the photo, I had the pleasure of handing Alan his check for his $1,000 a day damages from the City of Houston—the first time ever. It wasn’t just a financial judgment, it was a symbol of justice, earned through grit, principle, and quiet strength. As a result, the city has never intentionally refused to implement an arbitration award since.
Rest easy, Alan. Your fight made a difference, and your memory lives on.
