Around midnight on Friday, July 20, Maricopa's Fire Department Deputy Chief Dan Ashton, Capt. Nick Lang, Firefighter Cody Ashton and Firefighter Chris Herzog and six other firefighters, who were not identified, were involved in a verbal exchange at Ramsey's American Grill that resulted in violence and response from eight PCSO deputies, according to the restaurant's owner, Ramsey Harkness.
It was reportedly a patron flirting with Cody Ashton's fiancé that started the incident and prompted the Ashton party to make threats towards the patron. Harkness related that he had to stand between the 10 firefighters and the patron, who Harkness did not know by name, and talk for nearly 45 minutes to prevent a fight. He finally asked the party of three, which included the flirtatious patron, to leave and go to one of his competitors, Arena Sports Grill, thinking that would take care of the situation, which was continuing to escalate.


Harkness said, during an interview Saturday night, that following the removal of one side of the conflict, the conduct of the remaining group of firefighters was not quelled, but instead got worse.

Harkness reported that for an undetermined reason, Herzog then punched an uninvolved bystander apparently at random.

A PSCO deputy was in the process of a random bar check at the time and had to use his taser to restrain those involved in the fight, until backup could be called. The party that was injured did not press charges and no one was arrested.

Harkness says he was distressed at the incident in general, but very upset that the firefighters in attendance had not attempted to stop the fight, but instead seemed to be egging on Dan Ashton, especially Lang. At one point, according to Harkness, Ashton threatened the life of the man who flirted with his future daughter-in-law.

"You know I understand that firefighters, police officers and sports heroes are sometimes held up to a higher standard and that causes stress," Harkness explained. "But I'm not asking that these guys be held to a higher standard - just the same standard. I had 80 patrons who had to witness this thing and some commented that they felt they would have been treated differently under the same circumstances."

"I could lose my liquor license if this stuff continues. I want a formal apology from the city and Chief Kelleher, because an apology from Ashton at this point means nothing. None of those guys are welcome here until I get one," Harkness said.

Harkness took Dan Ashton home himself and expressed his anger over the whole incident during the drive.

"He just laughed at me and said I should just be happy to have the hottest spot in Maricopa."

This incident follows Dan Ashton's demotion from Assistant Fire Chief to Deputy Fire Chief after protests from the firefighters union, local International Association of Fire Fighters #4561, regarding aggressive and inappropriate behaviors, punitive transfers and violations of Arizona Revised Statutes 23-1411, which reads:

"Public safety employee organizational rights; definition
Public safety employees serving any city, town, county or fire district in this state have the right to join employee associations which comply with the laws of this state and have freedom to present proposals and testimony to the governing body of any city, town, county or fire district and their representatives. A person shall not be discharged, disciplined or discriminated against because of the exercise of these rights."

In mid-June, six members of the Fire Department Maricopa met with the President of the Arizona IAFF, President Tim Hill to discuss how to handle threats made by Ashton to local union President Richard Jackson after he met with then-City Manager Rick Buss to discuss matters of union concern.

Hill advised going to Chief William Kelleher, who then met with Jackson and others and immediately took steps to ensure the firefighters would have direct access in the future to himself in an attempt to squelch any further threats.

Union members and city personnel, who wish to remain anonymous, have confirmed that Jackson has filed a formal grievance with the city of Maricopa.

Chief Kelleher was reached the evening of July 21 for a comment and had not yet been informed of the incident.

"I hardily apologize for the behavior of members of the fire department. I will investigate and speak with Mr. Harkness myself and take measures to see that it never happens again."

Mayor Kelly Anderson was reached at 10 p.m. on Saturday night and had not heard about the incident either. He said this caught him unaware, but "I will meet with the Chief on Monday for a briefing on the situation."

Jackson had already been informed of the incident and responded, "I'm not aware of any formal charges. We are a professional fire department and we should conduct ourselves professionally. However, as union president, it's my duty and responsibility to defend all firefighters zealously regardless of charges and I will do so to the best of my ability."

Dan Ashton was contacted Sunday morning, July 22. After first saying he wasn't even there, then confirming that Harkness had driven him home, Ashton formally responded with "No comment."

Herzog and Lang could not be reached for comment.

PCSO was unable to provide any additional information prior to publication of this article.

See the July 27 issue of the Maricopa Monitor for an updated story.