N.C. Fire Chief Resigns Amid Investigation

Jan. 11--HOLLY SPRINGS -- Long-time Holly Springs fire chief Cecil Parker has unexpectedly left his post here amid a state investigation into allegations of misconduct on his part.

Parker, a 19-year Holly Springs employee, submitted his letter of resignation last Thursday, and his tenure ended Friday. Town Manager Carl Dean said Parker cited "personal reasons" for his departure.

A State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman confirmed yesterday that the bureau began a probe of Parker's conduct in March 2010. Wake County District Attorney Colon Willoughby requested the investigation into "allegations of misconduct by Cecil Parker," Jennifer Canada said.

Canada declined to describe the nature of the allegations against Parker or further details of the ongoing investigation, citing bureau protocol. "Generally, we're very limited in what we can say," she said. Willoughby's office did not respond before press time to a request for comment.

Dean said yesterday he had heard no official word of the state's interest in Parker. "I know there are lots of rumors around," he said. "I've heard lots of different things, but I'm just dealing with the resignation and moving on."

Parker, 48, joined the town staff in 1992, when he left the Wake County Sheriff's Office to become Holly Springs' first police officer, according to former councilman Parrish Womble. The de-facto police chief became the "chief of public safety" in 1995, then the fire chief in 2006.

Parker's final salary was $99,984; it was unclear whether he was qualified for a pension. He oversaw 36 employees in his role as fire chief.

The chief resigned of his own volition, according to Dean. Town staff have refused to release Parker's letter of resignation, citing state personnel laws.

Mayor Dick Sears said the chief was accommodating and helpful during his tenure, which saw massive growth of the town and the departments he headed. "He always wanted to know if there was anything he could do for us," Sears said. "I was told that he resigned for personal reasons and left it at that."

Dean expects to hire a new fire chief by the end of March.

Kenney: 919-460-2608