Pittsburgh-area fire chief charged after allegedly choking, punching another firefighter

WILMERDING, Pa. (KDKA) – A Pittsburgh area fire chief now faces charges of terroristic threats and simple assault after allegedly choking another firefighter during a fire call.

According to the criminal complaint, West Wilmerding Fire Chief James Pusey allegedly grabbed a North Versailles fire lieutenant by the throat and also slammed his head against a fire truck.

Shortly before noon on May 10, crews were called to a fire on Orient Avenue in Wilmerding, and several agencies were dispatched, including North Versailles.

The lieutenant recalled to police in an interview that he approached Pusey about where to park a fire truck at the scene and Pusey told him to park it behind a tanker truck. The lieutenant explained to Pusey that he would not fit behind the tanker truck and that's when Pusey became agitated, jumped out of the truck and began screaming.

He allegedly said to the lieutenant: “What [expletive] You told me ? I'm going to kill you.”

From there, Pusey allegedly grabbed the lieutenant by the neck and slammed him against the truck, continuing to yell profanities and threaten him.

The Pitcairn police chief finally broke up the fight.

The lieutenant showed police photos of his neck after the fight and he had abrasions on his neck. He also provided police with medical reports while receiving medical treatment after the fight.

Pusey now faces charges of making terroristic threats and simple assault.