DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ga. — The Douglas County fire chief was notified of termination Wednesday, according to county officials. This move follows 11Alive Investigator Kristin Crowley's February report that the department hired a firefighter who had several run-ins with the law.
Following the report, the county was alerted of the department's questionable hiring practices. Fire Chief Roderick Jolivette was initially placed on paid administrative leave back in 2022, but the county later decided to terminate him.
Jolivette's termination will go into effect on May 1, officials said.
11Alive's initial report found that Daymetrie Williams was hired during Jolivette’s time as chief in 2021, despite facing previous felony theft charges. Williams failed to appear for his court date and was also considered a fugitive, all while working for the department.
According to the GBI, the fire department did a background check on Williams, but not until June 29, 2021 -- after he was already hired for the job. GBI said the department ran another background check on Williams nearly a year after he was hired.
Williams was later placed on leave but still received his $46,000 salary, which taxpayers paid.
Following Jolivette’s place on administrative leave, Deputy Fire Chief Miles Allen served as interim fire chief. Officials said he would continue to do so until the county finds a permanent replacement.
"I feel like any practices that are done in our county and especially ones that are in public office should be held to a higher standard. So I'm glad that they looked into things," said Douglas County resident Gillian Becerril-Castro.
Melvin Washington, another resident in the county, said he hopes Jolivette lands on his feet.
"Hopefully, everything will work out for him. It's a sad situation because he has been around in this community for a long period of time," he said.