PAWTUCKET, R.I. (AP) -- The former East Providence policeman who fatally shot his captain during a training exercise two and a half years ago is now a firefighter.
Joseph Warzycha III was sworn in Monday into this city's fire department - one of ten inductees to the 155-member department. He placed first in written, physical and oral examinations after he applied, and his place was assured after he completed fire school earlier this month.
``I just want to say I'm grateful for this opportunity, and I'm looking forward to a new start,'' he said at a swearing-in ceremony.
Prosecutors said Warzycha shot Capt. Alister McGregor in the back of the head on Dec. 27, 2001, as McGregor led 11 officers through a mock hostage drill aboard a school bus. Warzycha, a sniper, did not clear or check his personal weapon and apparently didn't realize there was a live round in the chamber, prosecutors said.
The West Point graduate and Marine Corps veteran pleaded no contest to involuntary manslaughter in January 2003. As part of the plea, he resigned from the East Providence Police Department and was barred from seeking any other law enforcement job.
After the plea deal was announced, Warzycha called his actions ``a mistake'' for which there was no greater punishment than having to live with it.
Pawtucket Fire Chief Timothy McLaughlin would not discuss Warzycha's past.
``I have no reservations about him,'' McLaughlin said. ``I think he'll do a fine job.''
Shortly after he applied for a job with the department, Pawtucket Mayor James Doyle checked with the city's lawyers to make sure Warzycha could be hired. He concluded Warzycha could, since he had no felony convictions. Doyle said Warzycha voluntarily listed the incident when he filled out his application.
