By Cathryn Stout
The Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)
Copyright 2007 The Commercial Appeal
COLLIERVILLE, Tenn. — One Collierville firefighter indicted by a DeSoto County grand jury for statutory rape has resigned. A second firefighter faces possible termination for sexual assault in a separate incident.
Collierville firefighter/paramedic Charles Jackson has been charged with statutory rape in DeSoto County. He was suspended without pay in May while awaiting an administrative hearing. Just before his hearing on Monday, Jackson resigned, said town spokesman Mark Heuberger.
Jackson started with Collierville in 2001 and his salary was $44,361. His personnel records were not available late Monday afternoon, said Heuberger.
A separate administrative hearing was held Monday for Brandon Faulkner, a firefighter/EMT, who was charged with sexual assault following a party at his Bartlett home.
The pool party has been described as “rowdy” and “out of hand” and Bartlett police officers allegedly stripped down to their underwear during the bash.
His wife, Carey Faulkner, who was a veteran Bartlett police officer, was fired by the City of Bartlett over the incident. Bartlett officials also terminated rookie police officers Jonathan Poe and Jack Fullwood.
Brandon Faulkner has worked for the Town of Collierville since 2001. Town records show Faulkner received a letter of commendation in October for rescuing a crash victim and a suspension in 2002 for reporting late to work too often.
He made $46,866, but was suspended without pay earlier this month. No action was taken at the administrative hearing.
Heuberger said the town is working “cautiously” to gather information and investigate the incident before making a final decision.
“We owe it to the town, residents, employees and employers to ensure the highest possible code of conduct from our employees,” said Heuberger.
Held at Collierville’s Town Hall in the board conference room, the hearing lasted about 45 minutes and included three fire department officials, the town’s human resources director, Faulkner and a witness brought by Faulkner.
Collierville Fire Chief Jerry Crawford, who attended the hearing, said he can’t recall any firefighters being terminated in his three years as head of the department. He declined further comment.
“I don’t want any implication that I influenced anything until a decision is rendered,” said Crawford.
Collierville Mayor Linda Kerley stressed the importance of letting the investigation process run its course.
“If ever there is a question about an employee’s conduct, a hearing process is available and in place to make sure our employees conduct themselves with the most exemplary standards,” she said.
“We do our best to make sure we hire the most capable people in any of our employment areas. We owe that to the citizens,” she added.
Staff reporter William C. Bayne contributed to this story.