Lavaca County neighbors
Maxwell firemen killed in crash

Maxwell VFD’s firefighting brothers mourned

  • Twenty-one-year-old Hunter Coco poses forfor a photo with his fiance Allyssa. Her always said he knew they would marry one day, and they'd planned to do it this week. Still, no one held more of his heart than his daughter, Paisley, age 1. There little family was devasted last week when hunter and hius brother Jonathan were killed in a rollover crash in a brush truck last week, returning to the station from a wildfire near Lockhart.
    Twenty-one-year-old Hunter Coco poses forfor a photo with his fiance Allyssa. Her always said he knew they would marry one day, and they'd planned to do it this week. Still, no one held more of his heart than his daughter, Paisley, age 1. There little family was devasted last week when hunter and hius brother Jonathan were killed in a rollover crash in a brush truck last week, returning to the station from a wildfire near Lockhart.
  • Jonathan Coco, 25, spent his days rounding up strays as the animal control officer over in Buda and devoted much of his free time to the Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as assistant chief. Friends and family remember him as the life of a party. At least he was until he and his brother lost the lives in a brush truck crash last week, returning from a fire just outside of Lockhart.
    Jonathan Coco, 25, spent his days rounding up strays as the animal control officer over in Buda and devoted much of his free time to the Maxwell Volunteer Fire Department, where he served as assistant chief. Friends and family remember him as the life of a party. At least he was until he and his brother lost the lives in a brush truck crash last week, returning from a fire just outside of Lockhart.

    The Maxwell community is mourning the loss of Assistant Fire Chief Jonathon Coco, 25, and his brother, Firefighter Hunter Coco, 21, after the two lost their lives last week in a rollover crash just outside of Lockhart.

    The Coco brothers were returning to the Maxwell after fighting a wildfire outside of Lockhart when the crash occurred, according to the Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department’s Facebook page. 

    City officials said around 1:45 p.m., a woman driving south on San Jacinto was hit by the Maxwell brush truck as she turned onto State Park Road. The firetruck overturned, killing both firefighters inside.

    Lockhart police officers and firefighters responded to the crash on State Park Road (FM 20) at San Jacinto Street just before 2 p.m. 

    The woman driving the other vehicle did sustain minor injuries. She was later cited for failing to yield the right-of-way.

    Jonathan Coco, who worked as an animal control officer in nearby Buda, had been with the Maxwell VFD since 2016. Hunter had been a member for more than a year.

    Lockhart police and the Texas Department of Public Safety are investigating the crash.

    “We want to remind all that most of our fire and other emergency services are provided by selfless volunteers like these, and we pray for their families in our shared time of grief,” the department posted on Facebook. “​The members of both the Department and District are grateful to all members of our community who have shown their support and eternal love to all of us and the Coco family in this very trying time.”

    There’s was but the first of many such messages left on Facebook

    “On behalf of the families and members of Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department and Caldwell County Emergency Services District No. 2, it is with a heavy heart that we confirm the passing of two of our members, Hunter and Jonathon Coco, in the line of duty for the citizens of the community of Maxwell and Caldwell County.

    ​Both Hunter and Jonathon were survived by their immediate family.

    Hunter was a valued member of the Maxwell VFD who devoted a lot of his time to serving the community. “As a firefighter, he was the kind of person you would want by your side. He was dependable, hard-working and quick to jump in wherever needed. He didn’t ask Why? He just helped without hesitation,” Firefighter Samantha Lucas wrote in a tribute posted to the Maxwell VFD Facebook page.

    “Hunter was extremely selfless and always put others ahead of himself. Anyone who knew him would describe him as quiet and reserved until you got to know him. He had a happy-go-lucky attitude and was rarely seen without a smile on his face. His smile and laugh were truly genuine and indicative of his kind, gentle nature,” she said.  

    Outside of being a firefighter, Hunter was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed hunting and fishing. He also had a passion for gaming. He appreciated sweet tea, fast cars and burn outs. He loved his fiancé, Allyssa, unconditionally since he first met her in middle school. The love they had for each other was pure and authentic. 

    Hunter always knew he would marry Allyssa from the beginning, and they were set to be married this week. And above all, Hunter’s favorite role was that of father to Paisley, age 1. The love he had for his little girl was unadulterated, Lucas wrote.

    Jonathon, the elder brother, developed an interest in public service at a very young age. This interest was intensified after his family’s barn caught fire and Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department was the first on scene. 

    “I specifically remember the kindness and compassion the now Chief, David Childress displayed during that incident and ever since then I wanted to join,” he told Lucas.  

    Jonathon joined Maxwell Community Volunteer Fire Department in 2016 and worked his way up the ranks to become Assistant Chief. He was very dedicated to the department and community, spending many hours at the station going above and beyond what was asked of him. 

    He was extremely knowledgeable and wore many hats. Amongst his numerous certifications and accolades, he also handled all the departments IT related issues operating on servers, computers, and all network management. 

    “Jonathan’s personality was bigger than this world and he amassed many memorable friendships over the years,” Lucas said. “He enjoyed cooking for others as it was another passion he had. On many occasions you would catch him making family dinners for the other members of the fire department, for his friends outside the department and family members. His sister, Ashley, would say that making food for others was his love language.”

    His family described him as extremely funny, and said you never know what was going to come out of his mouth, but it was always the truth. He was a go-getter and had no problem taking charge and getting things done. \

    Jonathon was also known to take in strays whether it be K9 or human! He was a full time Animal Control Officer for the City of Buda Police Department where he was admired by co-workers for his personable disposition and playful antics.

    Funeral services for the two were held Sunday, June 26, at the Gerry Ohlendorff Performing Arts Center at Lockhart High School. A reception followed in the school cafeteria.

    An official Go Fund Me site was set up by the Maxwell VFD to serve as a memorial benefiting their loved ones. Please visit https://gofund.me/106afa9e to donate.