North Texas deputy fire chief retires after being charged with driving drunk in fire vehicle
A Pantego deputy fire chief has retired after being arrested last month on a drunk driving charge, city officials said in a statement.
Robert Franklin, who was also the emergency management coordinator for the city, was arrested July 24. Pantego City Manager Joe Ashton told KDFW-TV that Franklin was wearing his uniform and driving a fire department SUV when he picked up a stranded woman. The woman believed Franklin was drunk due to his driving and behavior and asked to be let out.
When Franklin let the woman out, she called 911 to report him, Ashton told KDFW. Pantego police officers found Franklin sitting in the SUV behind the fire station and arrested him. The SUV had suffered some damage to the exterior.
“He didn’t ask for any special treatment,” Ashton said to KDFW.
Franklin was booked into the Pantego Jail Facility while he waited transfer to the Tarrant County Jail, according to the news release. His case was filed with the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office.
Franklin submitted his application to retire soon after his arrest, the release said. His retirement became effective Aug. 5.
