Pa. Deputy Planned to Meet Hooker at Station
Source Standard-Speaker, Hazleton, Pa.
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Nov. 11--A West Hazleton deputy fire chief was charged Thursday with patronizing a prostitute.
Borough police said the charge was filed against Patrick Lee Ward, 35, of 313 Putnam St., West Hazleton, following an early-morning traffic stop in the borough.
According to police, a woman identified as Erin Davis of Wilkes-Barre tried to enter a vehicle that police had stopped on North Broad Street at 2:55 a.m.. Thursday. Police said Davis was placed under arrest when a check on her identification revealed she was wanted on an active arrest warrant. Davis told the arresting officer that she had just left a "booty call" at "Pat the firefighter's house."
According to the arrest papers, Davis told police Ward had also called her a few weeks ago to arrange a meeting at the borough fire department where they planned to engage in sex. Davis said when she got to the fire house, Ward told her to go back home because there was a police officer in the building with him.
The charge against Ward was filed in the office of Magisterial District Judge Thomas Sharkey in Hazle Township. Ward is ordered to appear for preliminary hearing.
A statement issued late Thursday by the officials of the West Hazleton Fire Department said company members are "deeply saddened" by the allegation.
"However, we want to be very clear that, as a company of dedicated members who have pledged an oath to protect and serve the citizens of the Borough of West Hazleton, we in no way condone conduct of this kind by any member of this fire company," Company Vice President Dennis P. Ganc Jr. wrote.
"We take these allegations very seriously and will pursue the appropriate and necessary actions in the near future," Ganc wrote.
The company statement included assurance of continued fire service to the community.
"We want to assure the citizens of West Hazleton that their safety is our foremost concern, and we will continue to serve this community as we have for the past 123 years," Ganc continued.
Ward is not compensated for his service as deputy chief, but is paid slightly above minimum wage as a part-time fire driver, working about 14 hours a month, according to borough Councilman Mark Yeager.
