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o�sou TH <br /> F dx <br /> :J b <br /> W eFacE � � <br /> y� a 1, a2 <br /> 1865 <br /> Office of the Mayor <br /> NEWS RELEASE <br /> March 2, 2007 <br /> 2:30 p.m. <br /> Contact: Chief Luther Taylor(574) 235-9255 or City Attorney Thomas Bodnar (574) 235-9255 <br /> Board to weigh felony charges against firefighter <br /> SOUTH BEND—The Board of Public Safety has set a special meeting to consider <br /> placing a South Bend firefighter on administrative leave without pay while felony <br /> charges of driving while intoxicated are pending against him. <br /> Capt. James Gadacz, 51, was arrested at 1:30 a.m. today(Friday, March 02, 2007) by St. <br /> Joseph County police on felony charges of driving while intoxicated. While off duty and <br /> driving his personal vehicle, Gadacz was pulled over by county police within the city <br /> limits on the 1100 block of North Niles Avenue after the vehicle had been seen crossing <br /> the center line, according to Chief Luther Taylor of the South Bend Fire Department. <br /> Gadacz refused a breathalyzer test and was booked into the St. Joseph County jail, the <br /> chief said. <br /> The St. Joseph County Prosecutor's office indicated plans to file felony charges this <br /> afternoon, according to City Attorney Thomas Bodnar. <br /> This incident is the second DWI charge facing Gadacz in a little more than year. On Feb. <br /> 22, 2006, Gadacz had been arrested on a misdemeanor charge of operating a vehicle <br /> while intoxicated. While off-duty and driving a personal vehicle, Gadacz was involved in <br /> a single car accident on the Indiana Toll Road in Elkhart County. Gadacz was demoted <br /> from captain to engineer by the Board of Public Safety on May 17, 2006, while <br /> undergoing a court-mandated treatment program. His rank was restored Nov. 17 after <br /> completing the program. <br /> "In my 21 years as fire chief, I have never dealt with anyone with a second offense on <br /> DWI. This is new territory for me," Taylor said. "I'm very saddened that this incident has <br /> occurred. ... I respect the court system to do what it has to do. This incident does not <br /> represent our department, who are dedicated professionals and among the best in the state <br />