Grievance Filed by Former Rusk Police Chief Raises Questions About Termination
RUSK, TEXAS — New details have emerged regarding the legality of the termination of former Rusk Police Chief Scott Heagney, as a formal grievance filed by his attorney outlines a dispute over the events leading up to his dismissal and raises potential legal concerns.
Heagney was terminated on January 16, 2026, by City Manager Bob Goldsberry. According to the City, the termination was based on claims that Heagney was unavailable during required duty hours and failed to request or obtain approval for leave, which was characterized as insubordination.
However, the grievance filed on Heagney’s behalf disputes that explanation and presents a different account of events.
Dispute Over Fitness-for-Duty Exam Timeline
At the center of the disagreement is a Fitness-for-Duty Exam (FFDE) that the City had ordered Heagney to undergo in December 2025.According to the grievance, Heagney and his attorney had been actively working with the City to schedule the exam, including:
- Completing required paperwork
- Submitting pre-exam information
- Offering more than ten alternative dates for the exam
The grievance states that just days before his termination, the City’s attorney indicated that scheduling was still being reviewed and no final date had been confirmed.
Heagney’s attorney argues that, because the exam date was still unresolved, Heagney could not reasonably know whether he needed to request leave for a previously scheduled job interview on the same date.
The filing describes the City’s decision to terminate him under those circumstances as inconsistent with the ongoing communication.
Allegations of Retaliation
The grievance further claims that Heagney’s termination may have been connected to his objections to the Fitness-for-Duty Exam.According to the filing, Heagney had questioned whether the exam was legally justified, while still cooperating with the process. The grievance asserts that federal and state laws prohibit retaliation against employees who raise concerns about potential discrimination.
The filing suggests that his termination may have occurred shortly after raising those concerns, which could have legal implications.
Concerns Over Process and Communication
The grievance also raises questions about how the situation was handled internally.It notes that a City Council executive session was held shortly before the termination and suggests that Heagney may not have been informed that his employment was under discussion, potentially limiting his ability to request that the matter be addressed in open session.
Additionally, the grievance criticizes the City for issuing a public announcement of his termination shortly before a scheduled job interview, which the filing claims may have harmed his employment prospects.
Separate from the grievance itself, it is believed by some observers that members of the City Council may not have been directly informed of the grievance at the time it was received. According to those accounts, some council members may have first learned of the filing through public reporting. These claims have not been independently confirmed by the City.
Background on Former Chief
Before serving in Rusk, Heagney had a long career in law enforcement, including service as a federal agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.During that time, he was involved in investigating the Station nightclub fire—one of the deadliest nightclub fires in United States history.
The fire, which occurred in West Warwick, Rhode Island, in February 2003, resulted in 100 fatalities and more than 200 injuries, many of them severe. The incident involved fast-moving flames and heavy smoke inside a crowded venue, creating a chaotic and traumatic scene for first responders and investigators.
According to filings and prior reporting, Heagney has been open about experiencing post-traumatic stress related to that investigation while continuing to serve in law enforcement roles.
Requested Resolution
In the grievance, Heagney’s attorney requests that the City:- Reinstate him to his position
- Provide back pay
- Issue a public statement restoring his reputation
The filing also states that Heagney remains willing to undergo the Fitness-for-Duty Exam.
At the same time, the attorney indicates a preference to resolve the matter without litigation, stating that they do not wish to file lawsuits or pursue additional complaints if the issue can be addressed internally.
