Smith County court backs renaming part of FM 2493 for two fallen volunteer firefighters

Smith County Commissioners Court on Feb. 4, 2025, adopted a resolution supporting state legislation to rename a portion of Farm‑to‑Market Road 2493 the Captain Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek Memorial Highway.

The resolution, read by Commissioner Drury, says the court supports the effort by the Flint Gresham Volunteer Fire Department and the office of state Sen. Brian Hughes to secure the state recognition. The court cited that Capt. Kevin Williams, 42, and firefighter Austin Cheek, 19, died while fighting a house fire off FM 2493 in Flint on Aug. 3, 2007.

The naming would affect the segment of FM 2493 in Smith County between its intersection with Church Street in Flint and its intersection with County Road 150, the resolution says. Commissioner Drury moved to adopt the resolution; Commissioner Harrott seconded, and the court voted to carry the motion.

Tracy Hague, identified as Austin Cheek’s mother, and Aaron Cheek, identified as Austin Cheek’s brother, attended the meeting for the court’s presentation. After the vote the court invited family members and others to come forward for a photograph.

The resolution recorded in the meeting text is dated February 2025 and notes that Sen. Hughes has filed a bill in the Texas Legislature to rename the stated portion of FM 2493. The court’s action was a formal expression of support; the renaming requires final action by the state legislature and the state transportation authority.

No legal objections or opposing votes were recorded on the motion. The court did not provide a bill number for Sen. Hughes’s filing during the meeting.