Racist firefighter nicknamed rover fired for derogatory comments to co-workers

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A Denver firefighter nicknamed the racist rover has been fired from the department after an internal investigation found he repeatedly marginalized and belittled co-workers.

Lt. Jared Russo may be able to perform the duties of a firefighter on the spot, (but) he does not possess the required character to be a Denver firefighter, Mary J. Dulacki, deputy general manager of the Denver Department of Public Safety , wrote in a disciplinary action order obtained by the Denver Post.

The Denver Fire Department launched an internal investigation in July after a captain requested that Russo not be assigned to their position. Crews reported to the captain that Russo was making strange and off-beat comments with racial undertones, the investigators wrote, and that they preferred not to work with him.

The report lists a host of instances where Russo made alleged racist remarks. Firefighters told investigators that Russo said you all look alike for a black firefighter and that Asians are poor drivers.

Russo also allegedly said that the Holocaust never happened, investigators found, and that the slaves were lucky to have been brought to this country. The lieutenant, according to the disciplinary document, once said that Hitler was a better person than Abraham Lincoln.

Russo told investigators he found the racist rover moniker offensive, saying he was a history buff, but the story is very different from what most people think. He admitted that some of these conversation topics like slavery shouldn’t be discussed at the fire station.

Dulacki, in the disciplinary action, said Russos’ offensive comments caused unease, alienation and division and that hateful and intolerant speech had no place in the firehouse.

The Denver Fire Department expects more from its members and the community it serves demands and deserves better, she wrote.

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