On November 19th, 2025, deputies had been dispatched after reports surfaced involving a violent hazing incident at the fire station. The investigation stemmed from allegations that fellow fire rescue employees assaulted and waterboarded another employee. >> It was great. It was so nice. >> I don't want my merch anymore. >> You can come this way. >> Okay. >> Hey, how are y'all? Hello. >> Fire stations and we just want you to I just talked to your watch commander so it was in the county. >> Okay. >> Not in there and we're mandatory reporting it and then so >> that's that's what we're doing. >> Okie do. >> Yeah. [snorts] >> How did he get here? because he works for us and we're when he gave us the statement we came here to talk. >> Oh, duty. >> Do I need like a bigger notepad? >> What's going on? >> Let me in on this confusion we got going on. >> Um, go ahead. >> So, we we called you guys cuz uh >> based on the information that uh firefighter >> has provided us, >> we believe that potentially a crime has been committed. Okay. >> We've run it through our legal department, our HR department. Okay. >> And um we feel it's like a mandatory reporting situation and we want him to give you the >> Do I need a bigger notepad? >> You were going to need a bigger notepad. >> Go get me a bigger notepad. >> You're going to need a bigger notepad. Um >> and uh you know um >> Good thing I left mine at home today. >> Yeah. Yeah. And if you need anything, man, we we can hook you up. Um we want him to be able to give you his story and then have you help us >> Yeah. guide through this process. >> Okay. Yeah. Just wait till he comes back on the notepad. >> Yeah. >> All right. All right, man. So, I'm Deputy Brown, deputy fountain. What you got going on today? >> The whole story. Just >> Yeah. Start from the beginning. Well, give me a little bit of why we're here and then we'll we'll kind of go back from there. So um later in the night when pretty much uh command like captain and lieutenant was sleeping um they were like the rest of the crew were like trying to get in my phone my password and um so they ended up like taking my gear off and throwing my boots and then um >> they physically took your gear off of you? >> No, no, the truck. >> Okay. and then um threw it and then threw my boots and then I went to go get it and they >> like one came behind me >> and like held my arms and then dragged me over to like kind of where the concrete is in front of the bay and then um set day grabbed my legs and put me on like leg lock my legs >> and then um after that one of them took the phone out of my pocket and like kept trying to lock me out and like they're like what's the password? They were like trying to get my Tik Tok account and so then um they took my belt off and then they were like turn like turn me to my side but like they're still holding me. So one has me. >> You're still upright or you're on the ground at this point? >> On the ground. >> Okay. So they're holding me and then he has like my legs held up like this and they're kind of like bending them so I can't go anywhere. >> You're like your knees >> sorry like this. >> Your knees toward your chest. >> Yeah. Okay. >> And he's holding and um so he takes my belt off me and >> who who's he? >> Uh tape tape. Um so Tate Seth Day um >> and we'll get all the names. I just want to see kind of >> Yeah. >> took [snorts] my belt off and um started hitting me with it. >> Okay. And then afterwards, um, there was a girl there. She was on a medic truck and she was like, she was trying to lock me on my phone and stuff and she was like, she locked out so many times that I message I said like reset all your system data. She was like threatening to press that and everything. >> And then um they told her to look away and they started like pulling my pants off and then um they were hitting me again and then they said they said look away and then she was like still taking pictures and stuff and like she kind of like fake like this and then um they >> stop for just a second. Yeah. Watch me and her um just said he's on his way. Okay. He just asked us to stop. >> Okay. So >> Okay, cool. That's fine. That's not on you. Sorry. >> I don't know why. >> I know. I'm sorry to and I know this is a very serious situation. Just uh >> honestly, it's [snorts] uncharted waters and we want to make sure we're doing all the right things and that we're doing all that together. So just to start off with um the reason you are here is about um Sunday November the 16th um se shift with um Tate Seth Edward the crew daily um if you could just we want your side of the story. I know you guys start 8 to 8. If you could just starting at 8 a.m. kind of give us what that shift was like. Well, from start to shift, uh, it was just pretty normal. Uh, I don't like he's a float. He came from 12, so he was at our station and throughout the entire day for the most part. Uh, like him and Tate, they seemed like they were like really good butts because they were just kind of messing with each other throughout the entire day. uh even when we had dinner like was just making jokes about how he was Tate's boyfriend and all that. I thought they were pretty close. So, uh at one point they're even like wrestling with each other at the station. I don't know what time this was around, but uh they're just messing with each other. Uh the actual I think it was around 6 p.m. that uh me and Kaylee came back from a call and uh most of the crew was in the bay. Uh they were talking to uh just figuring out like his backstory and everything. Uh eventually he ended up talking about uh this Tik Tok account that uh he had. He made this Tik Tok video that went viral. He ended up deleting the video and u all of us were just kind of just asking him about what his old Tik Tok usern name was. He said he didn't know but he had a new Tik Tok usern name that we saw because he was using the Tik Tok app. So, we were all just asking him what the username was. He said he wouldn't. So, uh, at some point, I think he went and showed Kaye. It was regarding something else, but then Kaylee tried to grab his phone real quick to go on TikTok, see the username. There were like almost like the entire station earlier in the night was um sitting at a table was like making a joke about um like how he had this Tik Tok go viral. Um and it was like sort of like like a 2016 like thirst strap. Um we tried for like a long time. We were like show us the Tik Tok. >> Um >> he ended up saying no like he deleted his TikTok like it's not there anymore. He doesn't have it. Um, we started talking about something else. Um, and then I want to say probably like 30 or 45 minutes had gone by. We were still at the table. Um, and was like, "Dude, what the is this guy talking about?" And I was like, "What?" Like, um, like what do you mean? Uh, because he just like sometimes randomly just says things and like about what? Um, and then he gave me his phone and he was showing me like these group messages about like another firefighter that was having sex with like a girl at the station or something like that. >> That was who who showed you that? >> Gave me his phone to show me the text messages originally. >> Um, and then I believe it was Seth who took the phone from my hands and then that's kind of like where it all started. I don't remember how we came in position of the building my head. >> Sure. >> Um and then we were trying to get him to tell us his TikTok so we look at it. >> Okay. >> Um and then I remember coming around the corner from cuz he chased after me and I ran. Um >> why was he chasing after you? I had possession of this building. I I don't remember how I ended up in position of this building. >> Um but he chased after me and I ran. And then I remember coming around the corner and he was on the ground with uh Tate and uh Eddie. >> Okay. >> Edward. Sorry. >> No, you're fine. And is Eddie Edward Kenny? >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. All right. And then I believe Tate caught a call and so I grabbed his legs and laid on the ground with him so neither of us would go anywhere. Um, and I passed the boat off I believe to Kay. But like I want to like like preface it for me like this is something that happens like every day >> and so like participated in like roughousing with Kenny and Tate and stuff before so I didn't really think that anything was going on. >> Um [snorts] and >> no you're fine. >> I'm sorry. Um, so Seth took over restraining the legs >> and you said Tate went to a call. >> Tate did go to a call. >> Um, he came back a couple minutes later. >> Okay. >> Um, >> like they were cancelled or something. >> They were cancelled. Yeah. So Tate came back >> and then Tate took the phone and was standing over um um uh Tate was standing over. was still at the uh hands and Seth was still at the legs. Um, Tate took his belt like off of him and like pulled down his pants a little bit. >> Like he was wearing the belt and he took out took like the belt off his pants like that. >> And then he started spanking him like with the belt, [clears throat] >> which I'm not saying that it's like right that this occurs, but like this is something like that they do. >> Who normally does like this kind of stuff? >> It's just like small. It's like boys being boys. I do not get involved in this [ __ ] because it's just I like I'm not going to touch any of them and they won't touch me. >> So obviously like it's a different dynamic for me. >> Is it did this was this happening like before or after your call that you went? Was this after or >> I think that was after. >> Okay. So you returned from your call at this point? >> Yeah. >> Okay. And who's all in that picture? >> That's me and Edward Kenny, Kenny, Seth, and Kaye. >> Okay. Now, is is um is Kaylee holding her phone? >> That might be his >> his meaning. >> Okay. So, when you get back, is still in possession of his phone or does they already had >> When I get back, he already had it. >> They had already had it. They meaning Kaye already had it. >> Well, yeah, they already got it from him. >> Okay. Yeah. Uh, were you aware of him ever like having the phone like cuz I get keep away was kind of happening it sounds like even before you left. But do you remember if he ever got his phone back and then it was taken again? At least to your knowledge, >> but I thought we went down and gave back to him. I'm pretty sure that was >> So yeah. >> Okay. And I guess like the phone gets taken from they're playing keep away, right? But once he's um you know on the ground restraint, does Did he have his does at any point did he have his bone while he was on the ground and it was taken from him? >> I don't remember. >> Okay. Um now, uh in this picture also, it looks like Seth's kind of holding um his belt. Do you remember who removed this? See that picture again? >> Yeah. >> And it doesn't look like he has his belt on, you Yeah, you can see the belt looks pretty. >> Okay. So, like did Seth is he just holding it or like h how did how did they get his belt? Was his belt already off when you came or >> I believe said took it off. >> Okay. Okay. Um now let's kind of progress from there. Like what what is happening at this point? >> So I know he got hit with the belt >> with the belt. >> Who who was hitting him with the belt? >> Seth was. >> Okay. Um now could you hear pop noises, snap noises? It wasn't like crazy. I mean, it was hard enough by him to feel it pretty hard, but I don't know if it was like >> Do you think it was hard enough to where like it would leave some sort of like physical injury? I'm not saying like a like scar or like he was bleeding cause some redness redness of the skin. >> What is doing throughout this entire process? I mean, what is he saying? So he was like >> obviously it sounded like he was joking like Tate we're best buds like you wouldn't do this to me. While Tate was as asking him about the password for the phone. >> So >> uh he asked for the password. He's like uh we're best buds. You wouldn't do this to me. And then he like would hit him. >> Um when you say you know hey he was telling Tate we're best buds. Um why would you do something like this to me? Obviously then you know you thought something. But looking back on it, because to me, just that statement alone kind of seems a little bit like, you know, he he didn't want to be part of that. >> Yeah. >> So that, you know, looking back on it now when Tate's doing this, do you is that how it appears? I don't want to, you know, >> Well, like in my mind when he came back, it's like, well, I don't think, like you said, like no normal person would, you know, like I just thought that with them being close like No, and I and I and I get that and that may have been what you you thought then and I you know I understand that but looking back now hindsight's you know 2020 obviously is that something that you know you feel that >> he he was just joking or that he you know was actually in pain and you know wanted Tate to stop? >> No, I thought it was so joking because he wasn't like actively like hurting him >> or anything like that. Now, what what was what was dealing at this point? >> Laughing. That's why like I agree what we did got out of hand. >> Yeah. >> 100%. >> But the whole time he was laughing and me all day like back and forth wrestling earlier and got up and laughed about it and >> Yeah. Like no issue. >> Yeah. All day like that. >> Okay. So, um tell me more about what you mean like you think it got out of hand. Like tell me more about that. Uh probably mostly how long it went on. >> Okay. >> And hitting one of the bell was probably uncalled for. But like thing I'd like to say to make me known personally is like that's the kind of behavior that like like stuff like that's happened to me before. >> Okay. Like specifically at that location >> at like how I work. >> Yeah. Like station 21. >> That's what that's what I meant. Yeah. >> Yeah. um stuff like in that similar or the same kind of things happen before. So when it's happening kind of I'm like that's the culture I've been shown. >> I got you >> throughout when I started here throughout well the past seven months I've been at 21. >> Okay. >> So like that that kind of stuff has happened to me before and that's just why I'm kind of >> and I get I get like what you're getting at and obviously you know that's not okay. Um, but in terms of, >> you know, we can obviously, you know, just from what you said, agree, did it did get out, it did get out of hand, right? So, you're saying just from when the belt happened that it got out of hand. >> Okay. >> The next thing that I remember like after the belt was Kenny, I believe, like got up and went inside. Um, and I'm assuming that means that like tape took over the arms. >> I don't exactly remember how it happened. And then Kenny came out. Um, and he had a towel and a jug of water. And then Seth was like, "Oh, like it's water boarding time." Um, which really um and then that's when I was like, "All right, this is because this happened like a week ago, too." Like this is >> the water boarding. >> Yeah. This this happened to Tate a week ago when was there. Um, and then I was under the assumption that Tate are friends from fire school. >> Okay. >> And Tate was laughing or was laughing when it happened to Tate. >> So I I don't like I don't know like at what point like it became like too much. >> But I know that like they did put the towel over his head and then I walked away at that point. I don't know if they actually put water on him. >> Just so you know. Um, we've kind of talked to a lot of people at the station already. Um, we've collected, you know, certain evidence. So, all we're looking for is your side of the story and, you know, most importantly, the truth. Um, because, you know, when people lie, obviously that pretty bad. Um, and and I get, you know, you're saying you don't remember, you know, what happened. Um, and I I think, you know, you may have more of a an idea or even remember what happened after he was in a blood bar. >> Uh, I had him in the lead. Correct. >> Yeah. >> Um, that's pretty much that all I did. I don't remember the specifics on anything else. >> Okay. >> Did you maybe witness something else that happened afterwards? >> Um, I know somebody put a rag over his face. >> Okay. >> And I saw a thing of water. I said, "No, don't. Like, let's not do that. >> It's a bit far." Obviously, now the whole thing was a bit far. But and then I believe shortly after he caught his call. >> Okay. And how do you know that you know there was a rack placed over his face? >> Uh because I could see him directly. >> Okay. >> Where was he at when this was all happening? >> We were on the we call the trackway. >> Okay. >> In front of the trucks. >> Okay. Is that And I know there's two sections of it. Is that the part where you're over by the um what is that? the uh the car that you guys kind of train with and then the uh the dumpster. Okay. That's over there. >> Yes, sir. >> It's like the west side of the property. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> And um I know you mentioned uh something about, you know, some sort of some water being brought out. What exactly happened with the water or do you know who even brought it out? >> I don't I don't know who brought it out. Um, I do remember they're not them not using it cuz I told them not to. Um, or there may have been a few drops like as it went over his head, but nothing they poured. Um, and besides that, pretty sure shortly after he caught his call. >> Okay. Do you know and who is they pouring the water even? >> I don't I don't remember all honestly. >> I There's only so many of you at the station. Are you sure you don't remember? >> I I I don't remember. >> Do you remember what was used to pour the water over? >> I believe it was like pitch plastic pictures used to make coffee. >> Okay. Does it have like a top? >> No. >> Okay. So, how and if I'm, you know, kind of leading you in the wrong direction, you're just letting me know, but how would one, you know, dribble a little bit of water from something that has an open top, if that makes sense. So it's kind of come out and you know stay string with them. >> I sorry you're fine. >> Um I believe it was like moved over and then believe it was full. >> Okay. >> I don't know off the top of my head. >> Okay. You don't off the top of your head. Um and where and where were you when this was happening? >> I had I still had the leg lock. >> Okay. >> Um and I was there but I was looking at I wasn't looking around. >> Okay. But you you so you had him in the leg block, but you knew that the you know the water and the towel, you know, having been placed on them, the water would be pouring on him to that extent. >> Yes, sir. Cuz I from my angle, I could see him and then I saw the rat and then I saw the picture I sent. And then going back to, you know, when this whole thing first started and you guys are on the ground. Um, I know you mentioned you you took over holding him down for someone. Who was that? >> Uh, Tate. >> Okay. And then you said Eddie, we'll just call him that, but you know, Edward Kenny, where was he at when you took over? >> He was. >> Okay. So in terms of you know I understand they had to leave um when it comes over to where the water and towel become involved. Um, are these the same guys that are involved or is it >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. So, do you remember where you know Tate and Kenny may have been? >> No, I remember we were all in the station then. That's all. >> Okay. But and when I mean involved, I mean in part taking part of, you know, the towel being placed on his head, maybe still holding him down because I understand you have his his legs locked. >> Not to my knowledge. >> Okay. What what did you observe happen after the belt, after the pants come down? Um like what what how what did this progress into? >> And essentially what we're getting at, we just want you to tell us about the the picture of water in the towel. Yeah. Now, is this something that you got or sorry? >> I'm sorry. I'd rather have a lawyer. >> Okay, that's okay. Um before we uh step out or anything like that, is there anything else you want to tell us? >> No, just two stairs. >> Okay. Is there anything you need water? >> Okay. All right. Just if you need anything, just did somebody like mention this and say like water boarding or like it's time to do water boarding or anything like that? >> Well, it had been joke because like I said, this kind of stuff has been happening to me. >> Okay. >> So, it did happen to me. So, it's kind of a joke. It was like a joke. We He never actually got waterboarded. >> Okay. >> What happened? We were sitting there playing around. Seth had him by his knees. We were just kind of sitting there. >> Kenny walked in and came back out with a picture of water and a towel. >> Okay. >> And it was like, "Oh, I'm going to waterboard him." >> Okay. >> And all that happened was the towel got put over his face and that was it. >> Okay. So, nobody actually poured the water onto his head. >> I don't believe any water. >> Okay. >> Cuz we had heard different. We had heard water got did got poured out. >> It didn't didn't sound like it was very much maybe. But >> um like did he did Kenny come out with like a full picture of water? >> Yeah. I mean it was still full afterwards. So I don't >> I wasn't really watching that. >> How long do you think it it went on for? >> I don't 20 30 minutes maybe. >> Okay. I mean that's kind of a significant amount of time you know. Um >> just to bring this up you had even mentioned in reference incidents that this isn't even something the worst that you've seen at a fire station. So that I mean that's why he's bringing it up. >> The worst happened to me. >> Okay. To you. Okay. Um so it's something worse other than water boarding and getting hit with your own boat. >> What I'm saying is like didn't actually get waterboarded. The joke was because it actually happened to me. The joke about it. I don't remember how we I think we told him about it. We told him that happened and we were like, "Oh, like we're going to waterboard you." >> Okay. Did it happen at station 21? What happened to you? >> Okay. So, somebody from station 21. >> As a result of the investigation, the agency terminated 10 employees, including a battalion chief, captain, lieutenant, firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics. Kaylee Bradley was charged with robbery, while Seth Day, Tate Troutwine, and Edward Kenny each face charges of kidnapping, battery, and robbery. Share your thoughts in the comments below.