Crime & Safety

Danvers Fire Chief Held in Jail, Placed On Administrative Leave

Danvers Fire Chief Kevin Farrell was arrested early Wednesday morning on assault charges.

As result of an early morning reported assault, Chief Kevin Farrell will be held without bail at Middleton Jail until Friday, when he will face a dangerousness hearing in Haverhill. 

Farrell, 49, of 43 Garrison St. in Groveland, was arraigned this morning at Haverhill District Court, after being arrested at 1:28 a.m. on charges of assault and intimidation of a witness. 

According to the Salem News, Farrell's 24-year-old daughter called police at 1:41 a.m. from 251 Center St. in Groveland, where his estranged wife lives. 

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Essex County Assistant District Attorney Ashley Logan said Farrell had gone to the Centre Street home three times Tuesday night into early Wednesday morning, Boston.com reports. 

Farrell's attorney said the fire chief reportedly suffers from emotional problems. Police records said he told his wife, "Nobody cares about me, nobody loves me," after grabbing her wrist and hitting himself with her hand. 

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Police said there were no injuries to his wife and no weapon was used.

Town Manager Wayne Marquis said Farrell will be held on paid administrative leave pending investigation charges. 

He said the department will be under the command of the department's four captains for the immediate future, according to Boston.com

Farrell first became a firefighter in 1988, and  He was sworn in officially . 


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