The morning after now-former Riceville Fire Chief Thad Lewis announced his two-week notice, he was met by board members who instructed him to hand over his keys and other department belongings.
Lewis, who began serving as Riceville's chief in 1993, said he would retire after claiming job-related stress and tensions with the board. In a tearful speech during a meeting Monday, Lewis said his last day would be Jan. 26.
But when he arrived at the station the following day, two board members collected Lewis' keys, passwords, phone and department vehicle. Lewis said he was told to take his personal belongings out of the chief's office.