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Ottumwa Fire Captain William Keith reinstated after appealing termination

Keith was terminated in July 2023 after the city found he "failed to adequately lead" two firefighters who engaged in sexual activity while on duty.

OTTUMWA, Iowa — Ottumwa Fire Captain William Keith will soon be back on the job. 

The city reinstated Keith after he was initially terminated last summer following a sexual misconduct investigation. 

Two former Ottumwa firefighters, Dillon McPherson and Derek Fye, allegedly engaged in some type of sexual activity while on duty within the department facilities or while utilizing department equipment, documents show. Fye was fired and McPherson resigned following the investigation. 

Keith was not accused of being involved in any sexual activity. However, in a termination letter to Keith, the city said, "it was founded that under your orders as Captain, you failed to adequately lead those under your command and further displaying an attitude of indifference toward holding employees accountable to the values and standards of the department and the City of Ottumwa."

Keith appealed his termination, leading to his eventual reinstatement. 

A representative for the city of Ottumwa told Local 5 Keith will be back at work the morning of Friday, Jan. 2. The city declined to provide further comment.

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