Fire Chief in New Mexico Loses Job Over Theft of Radar Detector

Ronald Grogan, Fire Chief of Eunice City along with four other firefighters have been charged with various offenses related to the theft of a radar detector from a vehicle that was involved in an accident on December 4, 2009. The New Mexico State Police charged  Chief Grogan with burglary as well as two counts of tampering with state’s evidence. The four other firefighters were also charged with tampering with evidence. The Mayor of Eunice, Matt White, assured the public that the arrests will in no way affect Eunice City’s fire or emergency services.

Eunice City Manager Curtis Schrader confirmed that Fire Chief Ron Grogan was indeed terminated from his position as of Tuesday, December 29. He went on to state that two of the four firefighters were employees of the city, and were suspended for 30 days without pay, and will be on probation upon their return. Chief Grogan had also been the subject of a department of health investigation stemming from a March, 2009 incident where he was alleged to have inappropriately touched the breasts of a patient. His paramedic license was suspended for one year on January 4, 2010.

For more on the arrest and termination.

For more on the paramedic issue.