A new fire chief is on the job in Fairfax County.
Chief John Butler, a retired Marine and former fire chief in Howard County, was sworn in Tuesday. He was chosen to help fix the past problems of bullying and harassment.
Before a large crowd, John Butler, Fairfax County's first African America fire chief, spoke about his childhood in Liberia. "I'm an immigrant. I'm a naturalized United States citizen."
He was 12-years-old when there was coup and his dad instructed him and his brothers to defend their home with weapons.
"Dad said, anything that comes down the road that doesn't look friendly, is unfriendly, is bad. And we'll have to take action," said Butler.
After they fled to America, that grit would carry him through a 21-year career in the Marines, and then with the Howard County Fire and Rescue Department.
Butler was tapped to replace former Fairfax Chief Richard Bowers who left under complaints and lawsuits regarding sexual harassment, bullying and retaliation.