Jasper
4-10-04, 09:46 AM
SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- A Cherokee man said he wants to return to a "nonhostile work environment," so he's suing the city.
A federal lawsuit claims the actions of officials in the northwestern Iowa town forced the fired police officer to join the Army and risk his life in Iraq.
According to the lawsuit filed in Sioux City federal court, Veron Fick, 54, who was fired last year, claims he couldn't get a job anywhere else and was forced to join the military, which sent him to Iraq.
Fick is suing to get his job back as senior sergeant once he returns from Iraq. He also is seeking damages for emotional stress and strain from serving in a war zone.
City officials told the 22-year department veteran in April 2003 that he was being let go as a cost-saving measure.
The lawsuit said the Army became his only "employment alternative" because the city falsely told other potential employers in the area that he had committed misconduct.
A federal lawsuit claims the actions of officials in the northwestern Iowa town forced the fired police officer to join the Army and risk his life in Iraq.
According to the lawsuit filed in Sioux City federal court, Veron Fick, 54, who was fired last year, claims he couldn't get a job anywhere else and was forced to join the military, which sent him to Iraq.
Fick is suing to get his job back as senior sergeant once he returns from Iraq. He also is seeking damages for emotional stress and strain from serving in a war zone.
City officials told the 22-year department veteran in April 2003 that he was being let go as a cost-saving measure.
The lawsuit said the Army became his only "employment alternative" because the city falsely told other potential employers in the area that he had committed misconduct.