Cobb Terminates Firefighter from Dallas

In 27 years with Cobb County Fire & Emergency Services, firefighter Darnell Musgrove of Dallas had a spotless disciplinary record.

But the final memo in his file paints a picture of a dishonest, uncooperative and insubordinate employee who is indifferent to his own well-being and that of others.

"Considering all of the factors of this case," Chief Sam Heaton wrote Monday in the memo to Musgrove, "I am disturbed and concerned about your lack of accountability, your continued untruthfulness and your admitted continued use of non-prescribed steroids. Based upon all these factors, I am terminating your employment."

Musgrove received the most severe punishment of the six county employees who were the focus of an investigation into alleged steroid distribution and use among Cobb firefighters and police officers.

The investigation began May 20 after the Marietta Cobb Smyrna Narcotics Unit received a tip that a former firefighter may have illegally used steroids in 2010.

Musgrove allegedly lied during the course of the investigation, changed his story multiple times and acknowledged continued use of non-prescribed steroids as recently as June, Heaton wrote.

He was one of three firefighters disciplined in recent days. While Lt. Rick Bennett was cleared Monday of any wrongdoing, engineer Jody Cochran and firefighter Vaughn D. Zellers were suspended Friday without pay, according to letters Chief Sam Heaton sent to the men. Firefighter Craig Nemeth and police Ofc. E.A. Meadors had already resigned.

There are no indications that the alleged distribution or use of steroids occurred on county property or while the employees were on duty, Quigley said. However, Cobb has a zero tolerance policy for the possession or consumption of controlled substances unless directed by a physician.

"We expect our employees to follow the rules, to set a positive example for those around them and to hold themselves to the highest standards of conduct both on and off duty," county manager David Hankerson said in July.