FERRIS FIRE CHIEF QUITS

FERRIS – In just one more example of the City of Ferris coverups, city officials would not respond to questions regarding the resignation of Ferris Fire Chief David Petricca.

Petricca, who has been with the Ferris Fire Department since 2016, was named Fire Chief when former Fire Chief Tom Leverentz resigned that same year.

A Ferris source who did not want to be named for fear of retaliation said Petricca had resigned due to being given a choice by Ferris City Manager Bill Jordan to resign or be terminated.

A series of text messages had been reported to Ferris Police Chief Eddie Salazar after being sent from Petricca to a female Ferris police officer.

The officer forwarded the text messages to Salazar who then reported the incident to Jordan.

Salazar and Jordan did not return calls or emails responding to questions about the matter.

Petricca, also employed full-time at the Red Oak Fire Department, resigned last week stating in his resignation letter he wanted to spend more time with his family and having both jobs took time away from his personal life.

When asked about the text messages, he said, “have you seen the text messages in question,” then replied, “it is because there aren’t any.”

He also stated, “My biggest challenge with the position was that it was extremely challenging and took a ton of time away from family.

“During my first year my father passed away from a heart attack and my father in-law passed away from cancer.

“I have never had time to truly grieve and time to fill that hole with all my family. I just have not wanted to leave the guys that make a difference every day in Ferris. The Firefighters that work for Ferris Fire Department are exceptional men and work very hard to make a true difference.”

There had also been a question concerning a fire department employee Petricca had suspended due to that employee’s involvement with the same female police officer.

Petricca said the employee had lied to him in order to spend time with the officer, but had not been suspended – instead he had been put on paid administrative leave while the issue was being addressed.

“During this administrative issue, I found it to be more challenging and complex than what was warranted,” he said.

Petricca added he decided to resign when Jordan informed him of the situation with the text messages and the suspended employee coming down the pike.

“It was my decision, and solely my decision, to take the next step in my life and resign in good standing as Ferris’ Fire Chief,” Petricca concluded. “I personally want to thank the City of Ferris for the time it allowed me to be their Fire Chief.”