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Posted: July 13, 2012

Oxford fire chief resigns after DWI arrest

Oxford fire chief arrested for DWI

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Oxford, N.C. — The chief of the Oxford Fire Department resigned Thursday, a month after he was charged with drunken driving, officials said Friday.

Earnest Lee Bess had been on administrative leave since his June 10 arrest on a charge of driving while impaired.

Oxford Police Chief John Wolford, who has headed the fire department while Bess was on leave, will continue as interim fire chief until the town can find a permanent chief, Interim City Manager Leonard Barefoot said in a statement.

Bess had been fire chief since August 2010.

Web Editor: Matthew Burns

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One would think that there would be an Assistant Fire Chief to take over for the interim.

wa4mjf
July 13, 2012 7:10 p.m.

Just another fine person for our kids to look up to. Put him on the list with the crooked polititions, Priest that molest little boys, pro ball players that take drugs.....and the list goes on and on. No honor amoung men any more.

AX MAN
July 13, 2012 6:41 p.m.

DWI is one of the few things that just a charge itself, not even an conviction can get you fired. Yes, even in some higher end private sector jobs. The law itself is out of control on this issue. It does nothing to help prevent just more punishment. Now they have a machine and a magic number. Regardless of actual impairments once that number hits your life is done. It is a law on emotion. Not everyone that gets a DWI are falling out of their car drunk or even was making a traffic violation when pulled. Heck I know a person that got one sleep in his car at the bar because he knew he couldn't drive, yet still a DWI because he had his car on to run the heater. He tried to do the right thing and still got one. Great law when now he thinks he would have not got one if he just drove home. I wonder how many think that way, like him

jjsmith1973
July 13, 2012 6:02 p.m.

dry and ncpilot, many people in the private sector would not be fired for a DWI. How many people in the private sector gets fired when they are charged with domestic violence, larceny or just about any other misdemeanor that is not job related? I am not defending his actions or saying he shouldn't be fired, but I think your criticizm is a little off

didisaythat
July 13, 2012 5:21 p.m.

". It always amazes me how government workers in all levels end up with a paid leave when they get in trouble, while those of us who work in the private sector would just get fired . . . "

Evidence to the contrary with the Progress CEO walking away with $45 million.