Aurora Demotes Highest Ranking Black Commander
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - The Aurora Fire Department has demoted Chris Henderson, the department's highest ranking African American firefighter, in what the department is calling a "personnel decision."
Henderson was promoted to Deputy Chief of the Aurora Fire Department in 2010, making him the first black deputy fire chief in Aurora.
But CBS4 has learned that the department demoted Henderson to the rank of Battalion Chief last Wednesday. A department spokesperson, Captain Diane Lord, confirmed the CBS4 report but said Henderson was on vacation and unavailable for comment.
She said she could not say more about Henderson's demotion since it was a personnel matter.
According to a 2010 news report, Henderson was the first African American lieutenant with the Aurora Fire Department, the first captain and the first battalion chief. As Deputy Chief, Henderson was tasked with overseeing recruitment and was expected to increase the number of black firefighters with AFD.
Lord told CBS4 Fire Chief Mike Garcia notified department members of the demotion last Wednesday in a department-wide email. Henderson has been with the Aurora Fire Department for more than 20 years.
CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass has been with the station more than 30 years uncovering waste, fraud and corruption. Follow him on Twitter @Briancbs4.