Retired Brazilian Fire Chief Charged With Vigilante Murders

The former fire chief of Panara, Brazil has been arrested and charged with murdering at least eight drug users after his son was murdered by robbers.

Jorge Luiz Thais Martins is believed to have committed the crimes in retaliation for his son’s death in 2009. The death remains unsolved. Chief Martins left the department in 2009.

For more on the story.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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