Two D.C. firefighters have been arrested in unrelated incidents in the past three days -- including one that had been in the news recently and hailed as a hero.
Veteran firefighter Chuck Ryan was charged Sunday with assaulting a police officer and another person during a brawl at a party at an Irish pub in Anne Arundel County, charging documents said.
Police found Ryan at the doorway of the pub, being restrained by three people, and shouting profanities at the pub staff, the charging documents said. The manager of the pub told police that Ryan had not paid his bill; when the manager confronted Ryan, he responded with a curse.
As police tried to arrest Ryan, he repeatedly pulled away from the officers and cursed at the arresting officer. Ryan later kicked at officers in the police car, according to the charging documents.
Ryan is charged with two counts of assault, disorderly conduct and failure to obey a police officer.
Ryan made headlines in 2011 when he was burned over 30 percent of his body during a house fire. Ryan almost lost four fingers and underwent a number of surgeries while hospitalized for seven weeks.
Tuesday evening, rookie firefighter Richard Kirkpatrick was pulled over by police after police saw him run a stop sign and nearly hit two pedestrians.
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As he was fleeing from police, a passenger in his car tried to jump out. According to charging documents, Kirkpatrick eventually pulled over.
Once he was in handcuffs, Kirkpatrick headbutted an officer and tried to run away before being subdued by police. He is charged with assaulting a police officer and reckless driving.
A spokesperson for the D.C. Fire Department tells News4 they are aware of both arrests and both men have been placed on administrative leave pending an investigation.
Because Kirkpatrick is a rookie and still on probation, the fire chief can discipline him as he sees fit - including termination.
Ryan will have the opportunity to face a trial board if the chief wants to discipline him. The trial board would then recommend any disciplinary action, a process that could take weeks.
