By LYNETTE SOWELL
Cove Leader-Press
After the City of Copperas Cove confirmed that an internal investigation was completed in August concerning four former firefighters, one of whom resigned and three terminated from their positions, the City held a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.
Also present for the conference were Copperas Cove Mayor Dan Yancey, and city council members Rita Hogan and Dale Treadway, none of which addressed the audience.
City Manager Ryan Haverlah spoke from a prepared statement and answered questions regarding the internal investigation.
“We did not get to a point where things were confrontational. Everything really went very smoothly as an investigation can go when things don't look right. It takes a lot of effort to sit down and talk with, at this point, your peers, and then report the truth. That can be pretty rough,” he said, prior to reading a prepared statement.
“Over the past several weeks, our community has had many questions regarding the recent internal and criminal investigations involving staff within the Copperas Cove Fire Department. Today, I want to share the facts of the investigation that can be shared, and I want to be direct in addressing the concerns that you have seen and heard throughout our community, both from our residents and outside of our residents.
“Just a quick executive summary, this is what I can share, that the investigations were limited in scope. That means it was only for a specific number of firefighters. It did not involve the entire Fire Department did not involve the fire chief, did not compromise public safety response and did not include ‘massive amounts of drugs.’
“This is what resulted from the investigation: accountability, actions were taken, termination of employees, discipline of other team members, an indictment of one former employee, confirmation of illegal possession of drugs and several policy violations.
“So, before we talk about the investigation itself, I want to make sure that our community understands responsibilities. Not every city is the same or functions the same. So, in Copperas Cove, the mayor and council are the chief policy makers, and their decisions are adopted through ordinances or local laws. The city council in accordance with our charter, which is kind of like our local constitution, the city council appoints a city manager to lead and manage execution of those ordinances and laws through the daily operations and future plans. All city employees are the responsibility of the city manager. This is the primary reason why I am sharing this information on the Fire Department investigation.”
Haverlah said that on July 7, 2025 the fire chief, the police department and he were notified of alleged misconduct, possibly illegal drug use in the fire department. The implications at that time involved two firefighters. Those two firefighters were immediately placed on administrative leave and were determined not to be on duty that day.
“I assigned the police department to investigate the allegations. Both criminal and internal investigations begin within the first couple of days of investigation. Two captains in the fire department were alleged to have engaged in misconduct. Those two captains were immediately placed on administrative leave.
“On July 15, 2025, information about an investigation was supposedly shared online and with news media. The City confirmed with the news media that internal and criminal investigations were occurring at that time. No further information was released because the investigations were ongoing. The internal investigation was concluded on July 28 of this year. However, the criminal investigation was still ongoing.”
Haverlah said that on August 28, 2025, a Coryell County grand jury indicted one of the former firefighters.
“Specifically, there was illegal possession of controlled drugs. The possession occurred at a fire station. It was confirmed one firefighter consumed the drug while on duty, but was not assigned to an ambulance on that shift.
“Both of these are policy violations. Other policy violations included conduct unbecoming an employee and dishonesty. Until the grand jury action, the investigation was considered still ongoing. And now the judicial process begins.”
He said that more information was not released sooner than this during any investigation, because “due process must occur.”
“Due process ensures the city follows fair procedures and respect for legal rights. We follow due process in all investigations, including internal investigations, such as our topic today, for clarification when criminal and internal investigations are occurring. The standards for evidence gathering are strictly quarantined or separated for the criminal investigation, it is important to understand that requirements of federal, state and local laws are followed in a criminal investigation to ensure the judicial process can be conducted.
“Was this a department wide issue? The answer is no, it was not a department wide issue. The investigation involved a small number of individuals within the fire department. The integrity and professionalism of the remaining firefighters and leadership staff remain unquestioned.
“Will there be criminal charges? Yes, one former firefighter was indicted by the grand jury, and the Coryell County District Attorney's office will prosecute the former firefighter. We are fully cooperating with their investigation and will continue to do so. All future information on the indictment will be released by Coriell County District Attorney's office.”
He said names have not been released of those firefighters because as a general policy, the city does not release the names of employees involved in internal investigations and disciplinary actions.
“As would be with any resident, your personal information is expected to be protected. These employees have received the consequences for their actions. I'm not here to publicly destroy anyone,” Haverlah said. “And if you were the subject of an investigation, you would not want your name and actions on public display. So I ask that everybody please be respectful, and as I've explained, appropriate action has been taken for the individuals involved in the investigation, and we hold our employees accountable.”
Haverlah said that individuals have been held responsible for their own actions.
He said that Chief Gary Young did not submit his notice of retirement until after the internal investigation was completed, and that the date Young selected was for a specific reason.
“After and only after the internal investigation was completed did Fire Chief Gary Young provide his retirement notice to be effective on the exact anniversary date of the start of his appointment. He certainly has served our community for 36 years. That is phenomenal.”
Haverlah said that Chief Young did not directly or indirectly contribute to or allow the misconduct, and that he cooperated and directed the cooperation of the fire department through the investigation.
Although there are four fewer firefighters on staff currently. Haverlah said that the fire department remains sufficiently staffed to meet community needs.
“Interim scheduling adjustments have been made to ensure continued rapid response to all emergency calls. However, as has been the case for many years, when our teams are all on calls of service, our neighbors provide support when we requested. We specifically receive mutual aid support from Killeen Fire Department, Fort Hood EMS and Hamilton EMS departments.”
He said that the rest of the fire department still here, maintain professionalism and integrity.
“The City of Copperas Cove includes the fire department, so we are one organization. Fire Department is not a part and separate from the city, and customer service is our purpose. We serve the entire community. We serve everybody that drives through our community. We serve those that work here. We serve those that don't work here and that are just visiting. So, customer service is a principle of what I expect in our team, and that customer service comes with the responsibility of behaving and performing with integrity.”
The question was asked if the firefighter in question was driving a vehicle or driving an 80,000-pound fire truck, on the date the report was made.
Haverlah said that he was specifically not on an ambulance, but it was his understanding that this individual was mostly doing administrative work. However, Haverlah did not know the specifics of that daily role on that shift.
Haverlah acknowledged that there are regular “run reviews” conducted by the department on a regular basis, which mean each call and action is reviewed by the team.
There is also a medical director who has conducted his review as required within the fire department.
Haverlah said that the city also conducts random drug tests and that process will continue.
Haverlah did not state the type of drug possession and use that was part of the investigation and indictment.
As far as how this will affect the employment outlook for the other three fire fighters, Haverlah said he could not speak to the hiring practices of other organizations.
“But anytime a potential candidate applies with Copperas Cove, we do a background check. That background check includes getting information on their previous employers.”
Haverlah said that the information came from a peer that recognized one of his team members “was not functioning correctly, and brought it up through a chain.”
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