Fire Captain Charged in Standoff Back on Duty
Capt. Louis Herrero was arrested last December following a standoff at his Sierra Pines home.
While one Pasco County Fire Rescue captain is out on unpaid leave after two arrests, another has returned to work.
Capt. Louis Herrero was charged with eight counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer following a standoff last December at his Sierra Pines home. That incident resulted in the SWAT team being called out.
Herrero, who worked at Station 23 in Land O' Lakes, was taken into custody after barricading himself in his home. At one point during the standoff, he was said to have pointed a shotgun at deputies and fire rescue workers who responded to the scene.
“His legal issues were cleared and he went through the process with our risk management (staff) to return to full duty,” said Assistant Chief Cynthia Holland.
According to Pasco County court records, adjudication was withheld on two charges of improper exhibition of a firearm filed against Herrero. The prosecutor did not take action on the aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer charges.
Holland was unsure of exactly when Herrero returned to duty.
“We’re doing all we can to ensure that our personnel are fit for duty and (are) providing the best service,” Holland added.
See Also:
Pasco Fire Captain ‘Relieved of Duty’ After 2nd Arrest
Editor's note: This article was updated at 7:58 p.m. Dec. 19 to include information from the Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court's office.
Jessica Nichols
5:56 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
Unbelievable!! He keeps his job? Are you kidding me? He pointed a rifle at deputies and keeps his job? Insane!
Paul Totten
4:51 pm on Thursday, December 20, 2012
The reason Captain Herrero is alive and back at work is because he did not point a weapon at Deputies. The Sheriffs Department (including involved Deputies), DA, Presiding Judge, County Administrator, Personnel Director, and Fire Chief all were well aware of the facts surrounding the incident. Each had a respective hand in the process surrounding this incident and the ultimate outcome of his return to work. I am sure that all parties were aware of the potential for the sensationalism and public reaction to a case of this nature. Nonetheless, they proceeded as they all deemed appropriate given the facts of the case and the nature of the incident. Captain Herrero is a veteran Fire Officer with nearly 3 decades of service to the citizens of Pasco County. His dedication and loyalty to the department, his co-workers, and the citizens of the county is without question. I am honored and priviledged to have the opportunity to work alongside Captain Herrero. He is back at work because of the facts related to what happened, not inspite of them.
Duncan Hitchcock
8:29 pm on Wednesday, December 19, 2012
There is only one reason that he is alive today, nevertheless back at work.
Tom Ford
6:03 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
Who allowed this man to continue taking taxpayers money? You get the SWAT team at your door and the DA files no charges? WTF??? Cronyism at its best! Just like all of Pasco's politics. Must be nice to be "Above the Law".
Robert Martin
7:09 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
You are totally correct. Old tyme Cronyism. Makes you wonder what the
conversation was to get him back to work huh?
pam
11:32 am on Thursday, December 20, 2012
There are more than these two involved with law enforcement but guess they are not high enough to make the news
Gary Totten
9:47 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
A similar incident occurred in an adjacent county. A fire chief threatened, with a firearm, an adjacent fire company for responding in their territory. It took a few years, including a threat by the county commissioners to dissolve the offending fire company, before the situation was resolved. If I assaulted someone I would expect to be jailed and charged with a felony. There is no "excuse" for this brother Firefighters behavior. If the event was non-confrontational why isn't the report available for public scrutiny?