PART OF THE CREW: Former Waco Fire Lt. Kevin Fisk, (3rd from left)
Crawford – In the laconic order, 66th Judicial District Lee Harris dismissed the lawsuit against the Waco Fire Department and other city officials last December by agreement of both of the parties.
A Civil Service Commission unanimous decision, he was ordered to have a psychological examination by a psychiatrist of the city’s choosing, even though his personal care giver had signed off stating he was mentally fit for duty.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – A MAN’S GOT TO TAKE CARE OF FAMILY
He was obliged to retire upon his reinstatement – with no status as a finder of fact or as a peace officer – to the job he formerly performed, after he proved his sanity. “We have already had mediation and as part of such, I agreed to retire” – on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 2016, Armistice Day.
Apparently, there is not much regard for seeking the facts in such cases, and it’s a statewide policy.
He went on to say, “State law isn’t friendly to whistle blowers, and with a cap of $250,000 (in compensatory damages), had we gone to court (assuming I won the case) I would have likely walked away owing more than I could have been awarded.”
And then, he apologized for not mentioning the case had been dismissed before we failed to check our facts. Nice guy, but that one’s on the house. It’s a reporter’s job to check it out – first.
First mistake The Legendary ever made in his life.
“…I didn’t mean to mislead you to think this was ongoing; but instead I meant to give you an avenue by which you might be able to obtain additional information.
“I was interested in your comment regarding (Fire Marshal) Vranich authoring something in the report. The last I knew, Vranich had not authored anything in that case. Should one request open records (on FD records/reports), specifically asking for ‘any/all investigative narratives by any/all investigators;’ might be beneficial (that is if the city will release them.”
When asked several weeks ago if Fisk retired, Vranich refused to answer the question, saying, “He is unemployed here. That is all there is to it.” He made it clear he is answering no further questions.
Said Fisk, “I have no way of knowing if my last narrative in that case (added to case report after I made a report to Waco Police Department Internal Affairs and had that investigation taken from me) remains; but if it hasn’t been altered/deleted yet; I expect likelihood it soon will be. I’m not sure how one would know otherwise; unless the request also included ‘modification history of the record’ as well. (Hint)“