CHIEF negotiator dies in east Houston house fire

Houston Chronicle ^ | October 4, 2001 | S.K. BARDWELL

[Taxman]

A 53-year-old man died in an early morning house fire in southeast Houston today.

The man, whose name has not yet been released [I confirmed that this was, indeed, my FRiend, Herb Meadows, known to all of us on FRee Republic by his screen name, "CHIEF negotiator"] was found by Houston firefighters in a bathroom in the rear of his home in the 8000 block of Glencrest, after the house burned about 1:30 a.m.

Firefighters said the man's wife told them she was watching television in the home's living room when she heard a loud pop and her husband shouting from the back of the home.

The woman tried unsuccessfully to rescue her husband, firefighters said. She was taken to St. Luke's Hospital for treatment of smoke inhalation symptoms.

Firefighters said it appeared the man tried to get out of the burning home, but the heavy smoke entered the bathroom, where he collapsed.

Arson investigators are at the scene of the fire this morning looking for its cause.

[Walkin Man]

I can’t believe this.

CHIEF negotiator just posted three responses to my story on the Marines posted 9-30-01. I didn’t know him personally but he seemed to be a proud Marine. I pray he is guarding the streets of Heaven now. God bless his family and friends and deepest sympathy to all.

Marine Message to Osama: Bring It On

CHIEF negotiator posted 105, 110, and 111.

[centexan]

He was one of my favorite posters. He will be missed and remembered. Thanks for the link to the fund.

[connectthedots]

There are simply no words that can possibly express how devastated I feel right now. What an honorable and decent man he is. May God bless his family as the grieve this terrible loss.

[Principled]

Taxman,

I am silent and saddenned. We have lost a true friend. I cannot say any more right now.

God rest his soul and lessen the pain of his loved ones.

damn.

[firewalk]

Your post from Thread 2...BTTT

If anyone cares to contibute to a fund for Chief Negotiator please go here and put "For the Chief" in the comment section. Thank you.

Donate for the Chief/

[MomwithHope]

This is such sad news, he is a truly great patriot.
Prayers go out for his family.
CHIEF - you will surely be missed.
I guess God needed you more than we did, and that means we are really in for some serious shit!

[Bigun]

Thank you!

God Bless!

[libsrscum]

Semper Fi, CHIEF.

We will carry on... and remember you.

[facedown]

BTTT

[Sam Spade]

That is terrible news. Prayers go out to his family and all who knew him. We will miss him.

[Bigun]

Yes Rowdee! Yes indeed!

Thank you!

[n-tres-ted]

One thing I know. The CHIEF was completely dedicated to achieving fundamental tax reform. He saw this as an important fight that would restore personal liberty and fairness for all Americans. He armed himself with information, reason and fairmindedness. Each of us will have to redouble our own efforts in order to fulfill our common goals and fill the void left by the CHIEF's passing. May he rest in peace.

[MissAmericanPie]

No, no, no, we were just kidding each other on a thread yesterday, day before. I'm heart broken, my heart goes out to his family. If you find out more, please let us know what happend. Rest in peace brave sniper.

[VeritatisSplendor]

Don't forget BKO!

[Angelique]

"When sorrows come, they come not single spies, but in batallions." (William Shakespeare, Hamlet, IV:5)

I am so sorry, Taxman, that you had to break this news, but just like his mom, CHIEF will also leave behind all the wonderful memories that he has given to us, and to his family, forever.

It is no secret that Chief was one of my favorites. I would hope that in his memory we continue to abolish the Income Tax!

[Mudboy Slim]

Thanks, SB...Only the Good Die Young...MUD

[serendipityH2O2]

Herb thanked you for all you taught him and we thank him for all he taught us.

[Texas Yellow Rose]

This is terrible news. My sympathy to all his family. We will miss you Chief.

[jtill]

Prayers for CHIEF's family. May he rest in peace.

[rwfromkansas]

This is just.....just horrid!!!!! I just can't believe it....I just can't! To think he was here and then gone.... I am 18 and have not had anything really tragic affect me in the way of deaths, but this really is horrible....that poor man...I can't imagine how horrible it was feeling in that fire!!!!! This has been a horrible fall for America with Sept. 11 and now FR loses one of its own! I just hope that his wife sees this post and how we are all lifting him up to God. I pray he is in heaven living a life that only can be hinted at slightly here on this Earth. May his soul enjoy eternal bliss.