Former Liberty County Fire Marshal Terminated Amidst Scandal
Former fire marshal Bill Hergemueller of Liberty County has found himself embroiled in a scandal that led to his termination from the position. Accused of a range of offenses including theft from 18-wheeler accident scenes, conducting inspections without proper licenses, and more, Hergemueller’s actions have caused shockwaves in the community.
The decision to terminate Hergemueller came after he was arrested earlier this week on charges of theft by a public servant, tampering with a governmental record, official suppression, and tampering with evidence. The allegations against him include using his position to extort tow truck drivers and engage in unethical behavior at accident scenes.
The Liberty County Commissioners Court, in a unanimous decision, voted to terminate Hergemueller from his role, as well as from his position as director of the county’s Office of Emergency Management. County officials emphasized the need for a more stringent review process for all county appointees to prevent similar incidents in the future.
During a specially called meeting, County Attorney Matthew Poston recommended not only terminating Hergemueller but also not renewing his appointment. This move was supported by the commissioners, who acknowledged the need to ensure that all appointees are qualified and meet legal requirements.
Witness Reports of Misconduct
Additional charges were brought against Hergemueller’s deputies, Nat Holcomb and Jesse McGraw, who were also arrested and accused of various forms of misconduct. The allegations against all three men stemmed from complaints made to the Liberty County District Attorney’s Office, leading to a Texas Rangers investigation.
The scandal unfolded with reports of theft and oppression, where towing companies were misled into believing they owed money for services, and crash scenes were tampered with. At one accident site, Hergemueller and Holcomb were seen siphoning diesel from a wrecked 18-wheeler, while at another, missing car parts mysteriously disappeared after their presence.
The Texas Rangers also uncovered that Hergemueller, Holcomb, and McGraw were operating without the required state licenses for fire inspections and investigations, raising serious concerns about their qualifications and appropriateness for their roles.
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Liberty County, prompting a call for transparency and accountability in all county appointments. The community now looks ahead to rebuilding trust and ensuring that such incidents do not happen again in the future.