Fire captain terminated for alleged racial slur
PANAMA CITY (AP) – Officials in the Florida Panhandle say they have terminated a white fire captain for using a racial slur against a black captain.
Documents released to The News Herald in Panama City show Capt. Bobby Harrell is accused of calling Capt. Keith Capehart “Buckwheat” and told a fire chief he needed to control his “boy” in a profanity-laced tirade.
Representatives of Harrell say it is reverse discrimination and he was terminated because he was trying to form a union.
Records show the statements were made Aug. 12 during a disagreement over how to handle a firefighter who had cut his hand using a table saw. Harrell protested his firing and had a hearing before a county manager, who upheld the decision. Harrell said his lawyer has advised him not to comment.