Indianola Assistant Fire Chief Johnny Hughes says he was falsely accused by a volunteer firefighter regarding an incident that occurred at a wreck scene during the fall.
The altercation led volunteer Hezzie Murry to file harassment charges against Hughes, because he said this was not the first time Hughes had harassed him. Hughes subsequently filed simple assault charges against Murry.
Both charges were thrown out in court, but Hughes wanted an opportunity to defend himself against the claims Murry made in an official report, Hughes claims are false.
The Indianola Fire Department and the Indianola Volunteer Fire Department have a long history of tension between the organizations, particularly among leadership of both departments.
IFD Chief Eugene Snipes and IVFD Chief James Ferguson told The E-T separately the two sides were talking and working out their differences.
Snipes announced to the Indianola Board of Aldermen on Monday night his intent to retire effective April 15.
As for the incident last fall, Hughes provided The E-T with two sworn statements, one by Fireman Dominic Jones and the other by Rev. Albert Lynn, who both said they witnessed the altercation between Hughes and Murry.
“I noticed Hezzie Murry making a scene and was being held back by other firefighter,” Jones said in his statement. “He stated that he wanted to get in the ring with Chief Hughes while holding up his fist. Chief Hughes maintained professional and had his hands in his pocket.”
Hughes said the incident began while he was working the accident scene on the corner of Dorsett and 448.
He said he heard cursing and turned around to discover it was Murry. Hughes said he has a no-cursing policy at the station and on scene.
Hughes said he told Murry to stop cursing, and that is when Murry engaged him and threatened him.
“He said he would hit me,” Hughes told The E-T. “He even came up to me with his fist drawn back.”
Lynn’s account of the incident corroborates Hughes’ version of events.
Murry’s account was quite different.
He said there was a discussion at the scene regarding the mayoral election in Indianola, and that is what led to the two men becoming heated at one another.
It is detailed in last week’s edition of the paper.
The E-T afforded Hughes the opportunity to defend himself, but in the interest of the two departments continuing reconciliation, we will not pursue this story any further unless there are new developments.
