If one would describe a typical day in the Lexington Fire Department, the last thing that would be expected is for one of its own to be arrested for theft – and it happened just last week. The firefighter whose identity is yet to be released once he is formally charged is alleged to have stolen trading cards from a hobby shop.

The affair was revealed when the owner of “Collectors’ Haven” store, which was one of the favorites of Lexington people and specializing in trading sports memorabilia including cards, contacted the Lexington Police Department. A man in the firefighter uniform took several high-end trading cards for a while disguised as an inspection official, as claimed by an anonymous store owner.

Leading the investigation to the theft was the Lexington Police Detective; Mark Rodriguez, who said, “We do not consider any cases of theft lightly, but especially when a public servant is involved.” Essentially, our investigation is still open, and in consultation with the fire department we are getting all the facts we need.

The accused firefighter who works in the Lexington Fire Department with fifteen years’ experience was arrested on Thursday evening. Since then, the arrest has caused waves within the department, having Fire Chief Sarah Thompson say that she is disappointed about what happened. Firefighters are some of the best protected people in the country, and we expect them and demand they act with the highest degree of integrity. If these allegations are true, this would be a gross violation of that trust,” Chief Thompson said during a press briefing.

The string of unfortunate events in the case has given rise to a discussion about the campus culture for public service and possible relevant selection and guidance procedures. Dr. Emerald Carter, a psychologist who focuses on stress at work said about the situation, ‘it may not be an alibi for violence but one has to understand the severe pressure first line workers are under. This event might have been symptomatic of more profound problems that require to be solved in the services of emergencies.

The Lexington Fire Department said that it will set up an internal investigation in regard to this event and its practices. The areas to be reviewed in this paper include the mental health support services provided to the department, as well as ethics training provided to the employees.

There has been a diverse reaction in the communities regarding the news. However several others have asked people to come out with their support to Dana and also asked people to wait and investigate first before condemning. What local resident Tom Baker said was, “These firefighters give their best and even the lives not knowing if they will make it out alive to save others.” We should not forget this is a general scenario and one bad element should not bring the department’s image to low level.

The hobby shop, which is at the center of the incident has received sympathy from many people. People who are into collecting슫 plus sports fans have come to the store to make purchases in support of the store. The store owner offered his thankfulness for this support that saying, “It is good to see this kind of support from the community”. In this case, it does exactly the opposite: It reminds us that there is still a lot of good out there.

Throughout this legal procedure, concerns have been made regarding the said firefighter’s job situation, and pension plan. As, legal expert Jennifer Lawson said, “If convicted, the firefighter could get criminal sentence as well as lose his job and, perhaps, a pension.” It is such a really disastrous lesson on how a single mistake can cost one so much.

The Lexington Fire Fighters Union has issued a statement saying they should not be prejudged without knowing all the circumstances. Union President Mike O’Brien said, ‘We are a law and order union and we believe in due process and innocent until proven guilty.” At the same time, it is important to give the public an idea that this alleged incident is not the typical cases that represent our heroes – the magnificent firefighters.”

It seems that city officials are going to utilize this experience as a basis for reconsidering the existing ethical rules and regulations for all municipal workers. Mayor Linda Gorton was actively involved in the process announcing a new task force with aims to study the current policies and suggest the changes. The public has to be confident the city employees are being held accountable and there has to be vigorous efforts at ensuring the public is confident,” declared Mayor Gorton.

The Lexington people are still searching for justice as the investigation goes on but they start to feel disappointment, compassion, justice and many others. This particular case points to the humanity of the uniforms of our civil servants as well as things that require facelift in our civil service today.

The next few weeks will probably bring more advancement in this case, and the citizens are eagerly waiting to witness how this complicated issue is going to be addressed by the fire department, police and the policymakers of the city. For now, Lexington residents have to ponder on what really is trust, the demands of working in the public service and the essence of ethically upright and moral personalities in persons serving and protecting the communities.