The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. — An embattled Terre Haute Fire Department captain has retired the day before a merit board meeting for which his status was to be the sole topic of discussion.
Jeff Stevens retired as of Monday with 24 years of service as a firefighter. His 25th anniversary of service would have been in May. The merit board meeting had been set for Tuesday morning.
“Jeff Stevens was an excellent firefighter,” Fire Chief Jeff Fisher told the Tribune-Star. “He is a retired firefighter. We all look forward to retirement, and I wish him well.”
An internal fire department investigation was conducted, Fisher said, and it found allegations that Stevens had used illegal drugs on the job. With Stevens’ retirement on Monday, the results of that investigation will not be made public, Fisher said, adding that no information will be forwarded to the county prosecutor’s office for review.
Stevens was put on paid leave in September as a result of the investigation. No disciplinary action was taken, Fisher said.
Fisher said that Stevens’ retirement pay will be based on the standard formula of a firefighter’s salary and his years of service.
Copyright 2015 The Tribune-Star
All Rights Reserved