Houston fire cadets dismissed days before graduation over controversial meme

HOUSTON (KIAH) – CW39 TV partner ABC 13 reveals a story about several Houston Fire Department cadets – dismissed – just days before their graduation after a controversial meme circulated within their class, department officials confirmed. CW39 attended and captured video of the cadet graduation held Thursday. KTRK's Jessica Willey covered the new details late Friday. The cadets were part of the 2023 D-1 class at the Houston Fire Academy. According to officials, the meme — shared in a private group chat — was deemed inappropriate and against the department's code of conduct. An internal investigation was launched after the meme surfaced, ultimately resulting in multiple cadets being removed from the program.