[PA] Scranton Firefighter Elliott Clay suspended after firing gun three times. Wife fled.

...The letter to Mr. Clay from Scranton Fire Chief Tom Davis said he would be suspended without pay because his alleged action adversely affected Mr. Clay's ability to do his job "effectively, efficiently and safely," "leads other employees to refuse to work with (Mr. Clay)" and "directly impacts on the city's reputation for public trust and safety"...

Chief Davis is a professional, a leader.

News from Dec. 16th and Dec. 24th:

SCRANTON FIREFIGHTER ALLEGEDLY SHOOTS GUN NEAR WIFE
The Scranton Times Tribune
By Denis J. O'Malley
Published: December 16, 2010
[Excerpts] Police said a city firefighter shot a gun near his wife Tuesday night following an argument about their pending divorce. Elliott Clay, 41, 542 Theodore St., Apt. 2, allegedly had his revolver pointed at his wife, Linda Clay, during a conversation with her about problems in his life that he blamed on her[Excerpts] Mrs. Clay told police Mr. Clay became enraged when she asked him to stop and he fired two more rounds, each one getting closer to her... The incident began when Mrs. Clay said she received a call from her husband at about 7 p.m. asking where his revolver was. She told police she had hidden the weapon after previous violent incidents - one resulting in a protection-from-abuse order that was later dropped, according to the affidavit. While on the phone with his wife, Mr. Clay found the gun and told her he would shoot anyone who came through the door. Mrs. Clay advised her husband that she would be home at 8:30 p.m. and "did not want to be shot," according to the affidavit. After police established a perimeter around the residence Tuesday night, Officer Joseph Dombroski convinced Mr. Clay to exit the home, which he did without further incident... Clay claimed he accidently fired his weapon three times while cleaning it. Mr. Clay is currently in Lackawanna County Prison on $20,000 bail. He faces one felony count each of discharging a firearm into an occupied structure and terroristic threats, among other charges... [Full article here]

CITY SUSPENDS FIREFIGHTER ACCUSED OF SHOOTING GUN NEAR HIS WIFE
The Scranton Times Tribune
By Denis J. O'Malley
Published: December 24, 2010
[Excerpts] The Scranton Fire Department released a letter Thursday confirming the suspension of a city firefighter accused of shooting a gun near his wife in their home. Police said Elliott Clay, 41, Apt. 2, 542 Theodore St., shot a gun near his wife three times the night of Dec. 14... The incident ultimately ended without injury after Mrs. Clay ran out the door and Scranton Police Officer Joseph Dombroski persuaded Mr. Clay to leave the home. The letter to Mr. Clay from Scranton Fire Chief Tom Davis said he would be suspended without pay because his alleged action adversely affected Mr. Clay's ability to do his job "effectively, efficiently and safely," "leads other employees to refuse to work with (Mr. Clay)" and "directly impacts on the city's reputation for public trust and safety." Chief Davis said he would have no comment on Mr. Clay's suspension until he could speak with city solicitor Paul Kelly and Mr. Clay has his preliminary hearing on the charges on Feb. 9... Chief Davis said he felt Mr. Clay's actions reflected poorly on the Fire Department. "It's not a good comment for the Fire Department. It's a total insult," Chief Davis said... [Full article here]
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