After 40 years as a first responder and nearly 20 years with the Boerne Fire Department, Chief Ray Hacker is putting out his final fires over the next month.
City officials announced Hacker’s retirement Monday, noting the chief will be serving his last day Oct. 21.
“With more than 40 years of firefighting experience, there is no doubt Chief Hacker has a servant’s heart,” City Manager Ben Thatcher said. “I am thankful for his commitment to serving our residents in leadership roles over the last 15 years as our assistant fire chief and fire chief.”
In formally announcing his retirement, Hacker only had kind words to say about the firefighters who have served alongside him during his tenure with the city.
“I am incredibly proud of the men and women who comprise the Boerne Fire Department and what they accomplish every day,” Hacker said. “From facing the dangers and challenges of fire calls, serving during a pandemic, to proactively reaching out to the community to better educate and engage our residents, they always rise to the challenge.”
Since joining the local brigade in 2003 as a parttime firefighter, Hacker worked his way up the ladder to a full-time position three years later. It didn’t take long for his training-officer position to grow into a broader leadership role — he was promoted to assistant chief in 2008, serving in that position until being named chief in 2020.
Hacker, a local and a Boerne High School graduate, spent 24 years in New Braunfels where he reached the rank of captain before moving back home.
His tenure in Boerne saw the improvement of fire services, according to city leaders.
“During his time as fire chief, he has overseen the continued growth of the Fire Department and plans for the next several years when the department will add a new fire station,” a statement from the city read. “He also oversaw a historic first when he brought on the department’s first full-time paid female firefighter.”
Added the statement, “With a goal of community participation, he expanded the department’s involvement in community events such as open houses, citizens fire academy, fundraisers for breast-cancer awareness month and backto- school supply drives.”
Hacker leaves behind a department that has grown alongside the booming population in Boerne, officials said. City leaders eyed a second fire station in talks leading up to a recent $36 million bond issue, but the proposal was nixed and instead left to the general budget for funding.
Hacker, 60, said he and his wife look forward to his retirement and spending time with family and friends.
No replacement was named, but the city will be conducting a search in the coming months. City officials are set to announce an interim chief at a later time.
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