By Leila Merrill
FireRescue1
DENVER — Lt. Jared Russo was fired following an investigation into allegations that he made racially insensitive comments that made other firefighters uncomfortable, according to a disciplinary action letter, Denver7 reported.
Russo, who worked in District 5, was terminated on Dec. 1. An internal investigation into the allegations was opened on July 27. A comment by a captain regarding Russo’s nickname, “Racist Rover,” which he had been called by some firefighters, triggered the investigation, the letter read.
Department officials interviewed firefighters who worked with Russo. Many said he made racist comments suggesting that the Holocaust never happened and that slaves were lucky to have been brought to the United States, according to the disciplinary letter.
During the investigation, one firefighter told officials that Russo told him once that, “Hitler was a better person than Abraham Lincoln.”
In response, Russo said some of his remarks were misconstrued and meant as jokes.
Armando Saldate, executive director of the Department of Public Safety, and Desmond Fulton, chief of the Denver Fire Department, released the following statement.
There is no room for racism in the Denver Fire Department, or any Denver public safety agency. The comments and sentiments expressed by this individual are incompatible with wearing the Denver Fire uniform and are antithetical to the values of this Department. We hope this sends a clear message that racism will not be tolerated in the Department of Public Safety, and that we will continue to take swift action to address issues like this if they arise in the future.”