A transit worker saw a suspect attack two female police officers, who was trying to get one of their guns. Without hesitation, Tim Martin jumped to the aid of the officers. He has been hailed a hero and indeed he is, but as the old saying goes, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Martin received an official letter from Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART). The letter was to inform him that his actions was spurring an investigation and to warn him that he could face disciplinary action. That’s right, he could be suspended or fired for his heroic actions.
The man, later identified as Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) transit supervisor Tim Martin, has been applauded by police for his heroism.
‘The first thing that really turned things in our favor was when he came in and put a bear hug on the guy and we really applaud him for doing that,’ Tampa Police spokesman Steve Hegarty told WFTS.
Martin, who has worked for six years at HART with no disciplinary record, was shocked to receive a letter stating that he was under investigation and could face disciplinary action.
In explaining the issue over why Martin received the letter, HART spokeswoman Sandra Morrison told WFTS, ‘there was a stretch of time we did not hear from our transit supervisor so I mean we don’t know if his life could’ve been in danger something could’ve happened, so we needed to know what had happened around that stretch of time.’
Martin’s union representative, John Sholtes, disagreed with Morrison’s first statement over the issue.
‘What I understand is it was a heroic act and what I don’t understand is what there is to be disciplined for, it just doesn’t seem to make sense to us,’ Sholtes told the television station.
Hart has now officially closed the investigation after receiving much abuse for investigating Martin. He has been cleared of all charges.
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