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STATter911.com has learned that Firefighter Jerry Engle has been suspended from emergency operations following a criminal complaint of a theft at the Riverdale firehouse (PGFD Station 807). Engle most recently has been a member of the Riverdale Heights VFD (PGFD Station 813), but had previously been a member at Riverdale and two other volunteer companies in Prince George’s County, Maryland.
From his book Probie Days, looking at what Engle called the “glory days” of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department (PGFD Station 833), to a video that showed another side of Jerry Engle, the veteran firefighter has been one of the most recognizable and controversial figures in the Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department.
Sources familiar with an incident that occurred Sunday morning identify Engle as the person under investigation and named in a criminal complaint. Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department Chief Spokesman Mark Brady is not naming names in his confirmation that an investigation is underway. Here is Brady’s description of what happened in an email sent earlier today:
On Sunday, March 29, 2009, just before 5AM, Fire/EMS units responded to a vacant house fire in the 4500 block of Madison Street. As a result of the fire, an engine was transferred from a neighboring station to fill-in at the first due station, Riverdale. While the neighboring engine was at the Riverdale station it is alleged that a member of the fill-in engine was observed removing property from Riverdale and placing the items onto the fill-in engine.
The member in question was confronted by the person observing the actions and the City of Riverdale Park Police Department were notified and reported to the scene. A “Criminal Complaint” was completed and forwarded to the States Attorneys Office for review.
The career Duty Major and the Volunteer Operations Major were summoned to the Riverdale station as well. Interviews of everyone involved were conducted and an internal investigation, in addition to the Criminal Complaint, into the matter has been initiated. While this investigation is on-going, the member in question has been removed from emergency operations.
Sources familiar with the investigation confirm the theft involved a nozzle and a nozzle bale. According to the criminal complaint, Engle was in the Riverdale Heights engine with the items when police arrived at the Riverdale firehouse. The complaint says that Riverdale Deputy Chief Brian Carpio discovered the theft and confronted Engle.
Since last August Engle has been a live-in member at Riverdale Heights. STATter911.com attempted to contact Engle at the Riverdale Heights fire station today and was told he was not there and would not be coming back.
Jerry Engle made the news last July when controversial videos surfaced from his time as a member of the Kentland Volunteer Fire Department. The videos showed a firefighter being hazed by others. Engle was seen in one video showing firefighters shooting illegal fireworks inside the station. In one of the more memorable moments, Engle’s naked backside was used as a launching pad for a bottle rocket.
By the time the videos made news Jerry Engle was a probationary member with the Bladensburg Volunteer Fire Department (PGFD Station 809) after a stint at Riverdale. In an interview with STATter911.com, Engle said he was prepared to be disciplined by PGFD for his role in the videos.
A day after our interview at Bladensburg Engle was involved in another unusual incident where a firehouse neighbor filed assault charges against Engle.
Jerry Engle’s appearance was also controversial. Engle would often respond on calls without a shirt and had a Mohawk haircut and many piercings. Bladensburg officials ordered Engle to make some adjustment in his appearance last July.
By August of last year Engle had parted ways with the crew at Bladensburg. Chief Matt Fowler told STATter911.com at the time, “It came to the point he was causing more problems in the organization and we had enough of it”.
Engle claimed he left Bladensburg after he confronted a member for urinating on food and drinks belonging to Engle and others. Chief Fowler denied that such an incident occurred.
Engle then began riding at the Riverdale Heights station.
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Grow up CHILDREN!
The volunteer system needs to be KICKED out.
Enough is Enough this guy is a "retard" get him help or put him in jail. He owes thousands in child support, but is allowed to run the streets. Dave maybe you should adopt him, he'll make a good pet. If you feed him and give him money he'll never leave. Just keep your valuables locked up and any kids away from him.
I guess he has run out of flop houses. He will have to start over in another county. I am sure there are other volley houses that would take him. It would enhance their image in a short period of time.If not there is Ringling Bros or some other road show.
This guy is the poster child for PGFD and represent their image to the rest of the world. Until PGFD and all the VFD's in that system remove people like this guy, they will continue to be viewed as renegade, undisciplined and unprofessional. But, perhaps that is the reputation they want to maintain.
to person who wrote " the vol. need to be kicked out" i guess u think the paid personal are angels. now that is a joke. we need to just get rid of people on both sides, and go from there.
the volunteers and professional fire fighters in P.G. all need to grow up and look around you, fire fighters are losing jobs because of the economy and nether one is perfect. The more you cut each other down the more childish you sond grow up little boys it will work its self out just give it time.
You see what happens when cousins breed??? Danger is their hobby…
Now I see whey some parents eat their young..
Lessons learned. Get rid of him and all the other rif-raf, especially when the bad outweighs the good.
It's about time they flushed him down the drain. Now if they could just flush a few more bad apples from both sides of the fence we could start building the system back to the way it was 15 to 20 years ago where PGFD was out front in the fire service as a model for other departments.
What truly amazes me is that with the widespread media coverage this idiot has had, that he keeps moving from one company to another…. and they keep taking him in. His looks alone would draw warning shots advising him he wasn't welcome in my department.
A blind man could have seen this coming. enough already
Jerry,
Look at this way maybe you and Colonel Karl can be cell mates in jail????????
Aww Geez! Here we go again! Another chapter of the Pee Gee Freak Show! And the "news" media feeds right into it! How about reporting on something actually worthwhile?
now I know why some parents eat their young…
Seriously, this tool has been making the fire department and the volunteers look bad for years. Time to say good by Jerry. Good luck with your second book. Every station needs to clean house and get rid of their "Jerrys"
PG and DC both clean house, HOOKMAN and Jerry, two peas in a pod.
Rumor has it he is heading for Pennsylvania. Alot of the Mensa group from PG want to help him out and get him up there. New Freedom area.
PG and DC both clean house, HOOKMAN and Jerry, two peas in a pod.
Hookman isn't working for DC anymore?
Poor Jerry. I'm going to miss him when he goes. I'll miss his naked butt crack sticking out of his running pants on various emergency incidents. The citizens will miss him sunbathing in the nude on the roof of the firehouse. He's actually a nice guy but has no business in this day an age acting (and looking) the way he does. Professionalism–that is needed whether career or volunteer. Some have it. Jerry doesn't. It's time he stop bringing down both the career and volunteer staff with his antics.
Sad, because at one time (a long time ago) a lot of guys in both the career and volunteer service couldn't hold on to his jock strap. I can understand non-conformity but he turned too rad and "weirded"out…
Hold his jock strap!!!! He was nothing like that he might have told you that story. He was just an average firefighter, never what he might have told you. Believe me I know that for a fact…… What an idiot…..
Is anyone helping one of most experience Firefighters in this country/world? I'd take him with his mohawk driving my Engine anyday. Picture perfect or getting the job done?
I want to thank Mr.& Mrs. Anonymous for there HOOKMAN updates and comparisons to the fruit loops bird. HOOKMAN isnt working for DC anymore…Your hilarious Mrs Anonymous. Do you know whats on my schedule tomorrow. Im playing golf this weekend do you know where. Probably dont right? If you actually knew me versus knowing of me then you would know whats going on in my life. Feeding off 5th party info you received at your local coffee shop isnt really reliable. Since your so interested and believe you know me, give me a call and we can talk about your issues and concerns. Oh in case your desperate for answers, my check from the DCFD was automatically deposited last Friday. Whew….Just in time because i spent the weekend at a Golf resort….
If I was Hookman, I wouldn't be running my mouth off on any public forum. I'd stay low until the shelling stopped (and that might be awhile).Why don't you invite everyone to view your mind boggling performance at the hearing
I find it amazing this guy was allowed to float from department to department. Doesn't anyone check into a person's background anymore? Why he left? What is he looking for (with your org)?
The media goes where the stories are. If you only want the media to print your good stories, you have to exercise control over your organization. This minimizes the potential for negative stories.
Good thing your not an attorney let alone mine….Like i said if your so concerned about what i say or do, then give me a call so you can advise me on when i should walk, when i should breath…… Trust me hoss i know what to say and when to say it and i dont have to remain anonymous to do it. Have a nice day Boo.
Everyone know this turds background! They take him because he is jobless and he will be there 24/7 to get the pieces on the street. That shows how those who continue to take him are desperate for volunteers!
Hopefully someone will flush the john and this turd will go down the drain.He is nothing more than a fraud and a fruitcake.I guess he has to come up with some way to get a few bucks since that wonderful piece of literary crap and lies he wrote failed miserably. Let me guess, he built the car so he can go around and fight fires by himself thereby giving him more fodder for another fiction book.
HOOKMAN,
You might know what to say and when to say it, but having enough sense to know when to keep you trap shut, well, that's a different story. If you think Chief Rubin was laughing at you, well then you should see the rest of us. You are so easy.
CANMAN
And now the Oscar for the best video on how not to conduct yourself in a public forum, or life in general goes to……HOOKMAN!
HOOKMAN= A joke and a disgrace for starters. He is not what the DCFD represents. Just a "to the minute relief man" who finally got caught. Glad to see that you are on your way out and good riddance!
What happened to get the almighty HOOKMAN in trouble?
Dave, would it be possible for you not to report on this person. He is not worth the effort put forth and is not a worthy news story. I think you are giving him all of the 15 minutes of fame, please give us a story that has substance and pertains to current Fire Department issues Jerry Engle has been played out and is in the process of playing you and all of your readers. Lets all treat him like he doesn't exsists which is much worse than treating him like $#@t. Thank you in advanced.
I understand. Believe me, there are many other stories about him that I don't bother to report. I think it is somewhat significant for a variety reasons. Some have been stated in the comments.
There certainly does seem to be a pattern here on how his tours of duty at the various stations end.
I have no intention of adding to this unless there is a newsworthy development in reference to criminal charges (out of fairness, I would need to report it).
Thanks for bringing up your concerns.
Statter
Fair enough Dave, thanks for your reply.
Has there been a resoluation to this complaint and the arason stuff Jerry brought up