Deputies say firefighter shot at them

Usually police and fire departments work together to save lives, but this time a drunken Roswell firefighter with a gun put lives in danger, according to the Chaves County Sheriff's Department.

Not only did he allegedly shoot at two deputies, they say he was also driving drunk.

Two sheriff's deputies reported they parked their squad cars at the Berrendo Water Cooperative at 2004 E. 19th St. and were talking around 3 a.m. Sept. 13 when they heard a gunshot and saw a white truck zoom past.

A second shot came from the truck, and the deputies said they heard that bullet ricochet next to their cars, close enough that they feared for their lives.

The deputies were not hit, and reported that after a brief pursuit they pulled over Tyler Leadingham just around the corner from his home.

Leadingham, 24, is a Roswell firefighter.

Deputies described Leadingham was uncooperative and combative and said it took some force to arrest him. A blood test showed his alcohol level to be nearly twice the amount for presumed intoxication under state law.

Chaves County Sheriff's Department officers expressed shock that a fellow emergency responder could do such a thing.

“When you mix immaturity, alcohol and firearms into an equation, the possibilities are endless," Lt. Mike Wood said. "So are we surprised? To some degree, yes."

Leadingham faces four felony charges including two counts of aggravated assault on a peace officer, one count of shooting at or from a motor vehicle and one count of tampering with evidence charge after he allegedly threw the gun from his car.

He posted a $10,000 bond to get out of the Chaves County Detention Center and will have a preliminary hearing next month.

The Roswell Fire Department Tuesday declined to comment on Leadingham's status with the department.