Schenectady firefighter faces DWI charge

PHOTOGRAPHER: Steven Cook

Police say a Schenectady firefighter drove drunk and ran into a porch earlier this month before surrendering and saying “I’ve been drinking too much,” according to the police report in the case.

William C. Rhodes, 34, of Schenectady, is due back in Rotterdam Town Court next month. He faces one count of driving while intoxicated, along with driving with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 percent or more, misdemeanors, just before midnight on July 4.

When a Rotterdam police officer, who had spotted Rhodes and began to try to pull him over, arrived at the crash scene, Rhodes immediately surrendered, according to the report, obtained Monday through a Freedom of Information Law request.

“He then proceeded to get down on his knees and placed his hands behind his head,” the officer wrote. “He then stated ‘I’ve been drinking too much.’ ”

He later attempted field sobriety tests, at one point allegedly telling the officer the tests weren’t needed because he knew he was going to be arrested.

City Public Safety Commissioner Wayne Bennett on Monday confirmed the city is monitoring the case. He said Rhodes continues on duty, but that sanctions could come later depending on the outcome of the case.

Bennett noted that the case is being handled differently than with a police officer because police officers have vastly different powers than firefighters. Bennett heads both the city police and fire departments.

The incident began on Hamburg Street when the officer spotted the driver later identified as Rhodes traveling at a high rate of speed and appearing to swerve around another vehicle, according to the report. The officer turned around and activated his patrol car’s lights and sirens to stop the truck. The officer then heard a loud crash as the truck hit the porch.

Police say Rhodes conceded he was alone in the truck and that he had been drinking beer. He allegedly told police to “just take me in.”

After failing the field sobriety tests, Rhodes took a breath test and registered a 0.12 percent, above the legal limit of 0.08 percent, police said.

Further investigation showed Rhodes struck the initial car on Hamburg Street and also struck a parked car after striking the porch, police said.

Rhodes joined the fire department in 2006 as its only black firefighter and the third black firefighter hired in the department’s history. He is a veteran of the war in Iraq and a recipient of a Purple Heart.