By Kelli Wynn
Dayton Daily News (Ohio)
Copyright 2007 Dayton Newspapers, Inc.
MIAMISBURG, Ohio — Firefighter/paramedic Jack R. Ikerd Jr. is accused of stealing two albuterol packages from the City of Miamisburg, valued at $12 each, and $125 worth of inhalers from the City of West Carrollton, according to incident reports from both police departments.
Albuterol is asthma medication that helps relax muscles that open airways, making it easier to breath.
Ikerd, 38, was indicted by a Montgomery County grand jury on two counts of theft in office, which are felonies. He is to be arraigned in Common Pleas court on April 3, said Greg Flannagan, spokesman for the county prosecutor’s office.
Ikerd is on paid administrative leave from his full-time job with the Miamisburg Fire Department. He started in 1996, city spokesman Gary Giles said.
“A personnel hearing will be held in the coming days to further assess Mr. Ikerd’s employment status,” Giles said.
The alleged theft in Miamisburg occurred between Dec. 27 and Jan. 3, according to a police report dated Jan. 11.
The alleged theft in West Carrollton occurred between Nov. 27 and Jan. 1, according to a police report dated Jan. 22. Police spoke with county prosecutors about the charges March 7, Flannagan said.
Ikerd also is on unpaid administrative leave from his part-time firefighter/paramedic job with the West Carrollton Fire Department, Chief Jack Keister said. Ikerd started in West Carrollton as a volunteer firefighter in 1993.
Keister would not elaborate on the alleged theft in West Carrollton, citing the investigation as ongoing.
Ikerd had not had any incidents of discipline at West Carrollton such as the allegations that led to the indictment, he said.
“Up until this point, he has been an exemplary employee,” Keister said. “It’s disheartening. We hold the public’s trust and we have to be considerate of the employee’s rights as well.”