Probe of Overdose Death of Nashville, TN, Firefighter Uncovers Leadership Issues in Station
The captain in charge of the Nashville station where a firefighter died of a cocaine overdose earlier this year has been demoted following an investigation.
Firefighter Wayne Barry, 56, was found unresponsive in the station on March 17. He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. A medical examiner ruled his cause of death was cocaine toxicity.
While fire department investigators determined while Capt. Winston Graham violated department policies, they were unrelated to Barry's death, WKRN reported.
Reviewing cameras they saw the captain and a firefighter leave the station on March 17 in their personal vehicles. Graham said he was unaware the other person had left.
During subsequent interviews, the captain changed his story several times about why he left the station, reportedly to pick up sour cream for dinner. The firefighter who also left during his shift, said he wasn't aware of the condiment run.
The investigators also learned that Graham had once sent a firefighter -- in his personal vehicle -- to help a woman with a lock. Another time, the same crew member was sent to get breakfast for his shiftmates -- also in his own car.
Only two firefighters would have been on the engine if they had been dispatched to a call.
Following the investigation, it was determined that Graham's violations included dereliction of duty by a supervisor.
He was demoted to firefighter after officials noted that it was the second time in less than a year he had "failed in your responsibilities as a company officer and a supervisor in the NFD," according to published reports.
Graham was given a 10-day suspension in 2025 stemming from two arrests in Sumner County.
He was charged with aggravated assault on his ex-girlfriend, as well as his second driving under the influence.
In September 2022, when Graham was reportedly taken into custody for driving under the influence at Creekwood Marina in Hendersonville, was naked from the waist down.
Graham started with the department in 1997 and promoted to captain in 2012.
About the Author
Susan Nicol
News Editor
Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.