PFD confirms firefighter arrested

PENSACOLA, Fla. (WALA) - The Pensacola Fire Department confirmed that one of its own spent some time behind bars stemming from a domestic disturbance on Thursday, February 28.

Escambia County deputies said 31-year-old Takerrion Brooks was locked up for striking his estranged wife and pointing a gun at her.

Investigators say it all started early Thursday morning when Brooks showed up at a North V Street home.  Deputies say Brooks was upset that his wife had a man in their home. 

He rang the bell, and when she didn’t answer he kicked the door down and confronted her in the bedroom.

“He pushed her head into the ground and against the wall," said sheriff's office spokesman Lieutenant Mike Ward.  "He also took her cell phone away from her and removed the SIM card from that and took the cell phone and smashed it, destroying the phone.”

Deputies said he didn’t stop there.

“He returned and came back into the house," Lt. Ward said.  "This time he was armed with a handgun and he pointed the handgun at her, threatening her.  She asked him to leave, and she put a pillow over her face in fear.  The suspect did eventually leave.”

The sheriff’s office picked Brooks up after getting him to return the home.

According to Brooks’ criminal history, he has had three domestic disturbance calls involving his wife dating back to 2006.

He also faced felony battery charges in 2001.

As for his status with the fire department, Brooks is currently on personal leave, not paid administrative leave.

A spokesman for the city of Pensacola said disciplinary action will not be taken right now since the alleged crime didn’t occur on city time or on city grounds. As long as Brooks were to receive permission from Chief Matt Schmidt, theoretically, he could return to work.

FOX10 News asked for a picture of Brooks, which wasn’t available in the Escambia County jail log.  We were met by a statement, citing a Florida statute. 

According to the statute, the city does not have to provide his photograph.

Firefighters are our public servants, often viewed as role models in society. So when one is arrested, it’s the talk of the town.

“He should be held to the same standard as anybody; no one should do that, right? So, I don’t think he should be ridiculed any worse than anyone else," said local Daniel Gomez.

“I do think that a lot of people hold our police officers to a higher expectation, I don’t have a problem with that.  But, whether he was in uniform or not, if he commits violence or abuse I think they should be held accountable,” said concerned citizen Michelle Calhoun.

Deputies said because he made his wife fear for her life, Brooks faces felony aggravated assault with a firearm.

He also faces misdemeanor criminal mischief and battery charges. Brooks will appear before a judge on March 22.