Confederate Flag Prompts Protective Order Request in Maryland

Posted by: Curt Varone August 1, 2017 0

The response of a Montgomery County firefighter to seeing a Confederate Flag above a colleague’s license plate has led his colleagues to seek a court protective order against him.

The strange case began on July 18 at Station 6 when Firefighter Idris Debruhl took issue with what he saw on Firefighter Charles Lee’s personal vehicle. According to Debruhl, the Confederate Flag offended him and he let his concerns be known.

According to his colleagues, Debruhl threatened violence prompting the firefighters to report his behavior to superiors and seek a court protective order. That, according to Debruhl, is retaliation for him standing up to racism.

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UPDATE: 8/3/2017 – Montgomery County District Court Judge Zuberi Williams denied the requested “peace orders” stating “I’m not happy with anyone’s behavior here.” More on Judge Williams’ruling.

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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