By Kevin Jefferies
Wolfe City – The Wolfe City Chief of Police has been fired after arresting one of the city's aldermen. The Wolfe City City Council held a special meeting Thursday night and made the decision to fire Police Chief Mike Smith. Smith believes the move was at least indirectly tied to the arrest of Alderman Joel Hodge, who was charged with disorderly conduct after a special meeting Monday night.
The Monday meeting had been called to replace departing Alderman Eric Williams. Former Alderman Jimmy Ebert was appointed to the position, a move which caused a stir amongst the public in attendance. After the meeting, a confrontation between Hodge and one of the members of the audience was witnessed by Smith, who said Hodge was making comments and gestures that could be considered threatening. Smith then arrested Hodge and charged him with disorderly conduct.
Members of the council said the incident did not lead to Smith's termination, but it was an accumulation of little things that led to the decision. Smith had also been reprimanded twice by the council recently, the first reprimands of his career, according to Smith.
Also on Thursday, two of the city's four patrol officers resigned. That leaves the city with just two full-time officers on duty.
Smith was the third police chief for Wolfe City in less than three years.