A San Antonio Fire Department firefighter has been taken off the front lines and reassigned to administrative duties after being accused of assault on a family member, according to multiple news reports. Michael Anthony Hernandez Jr., age 39 and an EMS responder with the department, was allegedly involved in an altercation resulting in the assault charge.
Hernandez's arrest occurred last Sunday, and he currently faces a misdemeanor charge of assault causing bodily injury to a family member, as per News 4 San Antonio. Following his release on a $3,000 bond from the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, the SAFD confirmed the reassignment of his duties while the investigation is carried out. This swift action signals the department’s serious approach to allegations of domestic violence within its ranks.
Further details surrounding the circumstances of the arrest and the internal procedures following such incidents remain unclear. However, an SAFD spokesperson has noted that Hernandez's reassignment is standard procedure in these cases. This move allows for the judicial process to unfold whilst maintaining the integrity of the department's public service commitment.
The status of Hernandez with the SAFD will likely remain in flux pending the outcome of an investigation into the charges levied against him. "Hernandez — who's assigned to the department’s EMS division — has been placed on administrative duty pending further investigation," reported KSAT, underscoring the serious nature of the charges he faces and the department's responsiveness to the situation.
