Indiana Firefighter Sues Over Noose Incident

Posted by: Curt Varone June 30, 2015 0

An Indiana firefighter who was tossed a noose during a training exercise has filed a lawsuit in federal court naming chief who tossed the noose.

Marion firefighter Mikel Neal and his wife, Rachelle Fears-Neal, have filed suit against former Deputy Chief Rick Backs. The four-page complaint filed today alleges a single count of a due process violation.

The incident occurred February 13, 2015 at Marion Fire Department Station 6 during ropes and knots training. According to the complaint:

  • Deputy Chief Rick Backs came to the station towards the end of the training. Everyone was in the kitchen area.
  • Deputy Chief Backs asked for Captain Miller’s rope, and Captain Miller tossed his rope to him.
  • Captain Miller then said something to the affect “I don’t think you should be doing that” and Mr. Neal looked up from his phone and noticed Deputy Chief Backs was making something with a rope but at the time Mr. Neal couldn’t tell what it was.
  • Deputy Chief Backs then said “Here Mikki” as he tossed the rope to Mr. Neal, at which point Mr. Neal noticed it was a noose.
  • Neal did not look up at Deputy Chief Backs. Mr. Neal just caught the noose and set it down on the table and shook his head in shock.
  • As an African American that is supposed to have a “brotherhood” with fellow Firefighters, Mr. Neal cannot ignore this blatant act of disrespect and discrimination.

Backs has been demoted to firefighter over the incident. Back in April, there were news reports that Neal had filed suit over the incident. Here is more on the discussions about the first suit.

Here is a copy of the complaint: NEAL V BACKS

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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