Palestine Fire Chief and Battalion Chief Placed on Admin. Leave

By Will Johnson

Messenger Reporter

PALESTINE – A statement released by the City of Palestine earlier this afternoon – Nov. 2 – indicated two high ranking officials with the Palestine Fire Department have been placed on administrative leave.

According to Nate Smith, Communications and Best Practices Officer for the City of Palestine, “On Sept. 29, Palestine Fire Chief Alan Wilcher and Battalion Chief Mike Phillips were placed on administrative leave, with pay. We began an investigation into the matter. Captain Shannon Davis was named interim Chief and Jeff Croft was named interim Battalion Chief in Wilcher’s and Phillips’ absence.”

No reason for the decision to place the firefighters on leave has been given at this time.

“The investigation is ongoing. The city will not make any further comment until the investigation is complete,” Smith further stated.

Check back online or see future editions of The Messenger as more details on this developing situation become available.

Will Johnson may be reached via e-mail at [email protected]