Perry County, INDIANA — (News Release / Indiana State Police) — The chief of the Cannelton Fire Department was arrested Tuesday for shoving a police officer multiple times at a fire scene.
Tuesday evening, Cannelton Fire and Police Departments responded to an active structure fire at 550 Knight Street, Cannelton. Cannelton Police Officer Ryen Foertsch and Perry County Deputy Stephen Poehlein arrived at the scene, and immediately entered the burning residence to make sure nobody was inside. After clearing two rooms of the home, smoke became too overwhelming, forcing the officers from the fire.
Once outside, Foertsch attempted to break the window of a room that he was unable to clear. Fire Chief Christopher Herzog approached Foertsch, pushed him hard enough to cause him to step back, and began shouting profanities at him, telling him to get off of his fire scene. Foertsch tried explained to Herzog what they were doing in clearing the burning home, at which point Herzog pushed Foertsch again, and again yelled profanities at Foertsch to get off of his scene.
Both officers conveyed the situation to their superiors. At the request of Cannelton Police Chief Lee Hall, troopers with the Indiana State Police were contacted to investigate the complaint. After investigating, Troopers Jeremy Galloway and Nathaniel Kern arrived at the scene of the fire and placed Herzog into custody. Herzog was lodged in the Perry County Jail.
Arrested and charges:
Christopher W. Herzog, 51
Cannelton, IN
– Battery Against a Public Safety Official, Level 6 Felony
