{"id":137575,"date":"2026-01-30T12:38:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:38:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/137575\/"},"modified":"2026-01-30T12:38:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T12:38:30","slug":"jacksonville-firefighters-arrested-after-paintball-incident-that-damaged-police-car","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/137575\/","title":{"rendered":"Jacksonville firefighters arrested after paintball incident that damaged police car"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 The Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office announced that four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department employees were arrested on Jan. 23 in connection with a Dec. 29 paintball incident that struck multiple vehicles, including a marked patrol car.<\/p>\n<p>The sheriff\u2019s office said the incident occurred in the LaVilla neighborhood after an officer discovered green paint on his patrol vehicle and a civilian driver reported similar damage, prompting an investigation by responding officers, <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.actionnewsjax.com\/news\/local\/4-jacksonville-firefighters-arrested-over-paintball-prank-war-that-hit-patrol-car-jso-says\/VFCQGPMIABAKHA5QQKB55S73KU\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">Action News JAX<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n<p>| DOWNLOAD: <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/drones\/the-dfr-decisions-every-chief-faces-before-the-first-drone-ever-flies?utm_source=article_inline&amp;utm_medium=referral\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" data-cms-ai=\"0\">How to launch a DFR program<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Officers found green paint splatters on the roadway, a traffic sign and multiple nearby surfaces, suggesting the paintballs were fired from an elevated position.<\/p>\n<p>Investigators also recovered 14 red and green paintballs and spent shells on the fire station\u2019s roof and driveway, and officers reported seeing firefighters enter the station and quickly close the bay doors, evidence they say points to a possible \u201cprank war\u201d between fire stations.<\/p>\n<p>Detectives identified four fire department personnel, obtained arrest warrants and booked them on misdemeanor criminal mischief charges at the Duval County Jail. The firefighters have been moved to administrative duties while the department conducts an internal investigation.<\/p>\n<p>The fire department issued a statement:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office arrested four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department personnel this afternoon on misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief following an investigation into personnel misconduct while on duty.<\/p>\n<p>The four individuals have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of an internal JFRD investigation.<\/p>\n<p>JFRD was made aware of the allegations by the JSO on December 29, 2025, and has fully cooperated with its investigation into this incident.<\/p>\n<p>This incident will have no impact on public safety or JFRD operations. The station where this occurred remains fully staffed with qualified personnel.<\/p>\n<p>We value the trust the community places in our department as first responders, and we are committed to the highest standards of conduct and accountability. JFRD holds all personnel to these standards. This matter involves four individuals and does not reflect the professionalism and dedication of the 1,900 firefighters who serve Jacksonville with pride.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>What do you think \u2014 is an arrest too much or is it appropriate?<\/p>\n<p>Police1 readers respond:The arrest may be appropriate if there is damage however, I would hope the incident and eventually consequences are reasonable, (that the defendants are not treated as career criminals (who have little consequences as it is) and just.I\u2019d like to think some aggravating factor is in play here. If it were juveniles with no past history, they\u2019d get a station adjustment. Adults, maybe an ordinance ticket. Not sure what ramped this up to an investigation by the detectives and misdemeanor charges \u2014 probably something, but we just don\u2019t know what it is.What am I missing here? First responders having fun and what? I can\u2019t imagine that there\u2019s any significant damage, nothing a bottle of GooGone won\u2019t solve, and even if there is, have them pay for it. They hardly had the intent of doing damage. And even if you ultimately charge them, booking them into jail for this?? I\u2019d be embarrassed to arrest them and would be more inclined to help them pay for any damages. Way to build trust between professions, much less ill will.Too much. File an ordinance violation, fine them and make them pay restitution for any damageThe arrest is too much. Misdemeanors not committed in the presence of law enforcement. Hold them accountable at their stations, do not fire them or ruin their careers. Yes, it is childish and yes it is a mistake but it is not egregious in any regard.<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"trending\" name=\"trending\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Outgoing Va. governor pardons former police officer who was convicted in fatal OIS\" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/legal\/outgoing-va-governor-pardons-former-police-officer-who-was-convicted-in-fatal-ois\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Va. governor commutes cop\u2019s 3-year sentence for firearm charge in fatal OIS \" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769776709_789_.png\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        Former Fairfax County Sgt. Wesley Shifflett was convicted of reckless handling of a firearm, but an independent auditor\u2019s review found his use of deadly force justified\n    <\/p>\n<p>January 28, 2026 11:48 AM<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Calif. bill would ban current ICE employees from LE, teacher jobs \" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/legal\/calif-bill-would-ban-current-ice-employees-from-le-teacher-jobs\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"ICE\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769776709_355_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        Assembly Bill 1627 would prohibit ICE officers from serving in any California state or local police agency or working as teachers, administrators or staff in public schools\n    <\/p>\n<p>January 28, 2026 05:27 PM<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Ex-Ill. deputy sentenced to 20 years in prison in fatal OIS of Sonya Massey\" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/legal\/ex-ill-deputy-sentenced-to-20-years-in-prison-in-death-of-sonya-massey\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"Deputy Shooting 911 Response\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769776709_835_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        Sean Grayson, who has late stage colon cancer, apologized in court and said he froze during the encounter and made \u201cterrible decisions\u201d\n    <\/p>\n<p>January 29, 2026 01:37 PM<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"N.J. law protects police officers from retaliation after PTSD leave\" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/n-j-law-protects-paid-first-responders-from-retaliation-after-ptsd-leave\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"New Jersey capital\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769776709_397_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        The new statute bars employers from disciplining police officers and other paid first responders who seek treatment and requires reinstatement once they are cleared to return to duty\n    <\/p>\n<p>January 28, 2026 05:24 PM<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00b7\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"product-news\" name=\"product-news\" data-cms-ai=\"0\"\/><\/p>\n<p>    <a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Trikke to showcase new patrol vehicle and law enforcement accessories at SHOT Show 2026\" href=\"https:\/\/www.police1.com\/shot-show\/trikke-to-showcase-new-patrol-vehicle-and-law-enforcement-accessories-at-shot-show-2026\" data-cms-ai=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<p>    <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"Image\" alt=\"hqdefault.jpg\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1769776710_434_.jpeg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>\n        SHOT Show attendees will have the opportunity to get up close with the newest Trikke patrol vehicle configurations developed for modern policing, security and emergency response operations\n    <\/p>\n<p>January 20, 2026 08:47 AM<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 The Jacksonville Sheriff\u2019s Office announced that four Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department employees were arrested&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":133472,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[116,118,117],"class_list":["post-137575","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville","tag-jacksonville-headlines","tag-jacksonville-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137575","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=137575"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/137575\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/133472"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=137575"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=137575"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=137575"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}