(WYMT/WKYT) – The Martin City Council announced the termination of the city’s police chief Michael Cagle during a meeting Tuesday night.
The city council started the meeting by saying Mayor Sam Howell was unable to attend due to work obligation. The council later announced Howell had signed a termination letter for Chief Cagle.
The move comes only a month after Cagle’s appointment as chief, and two weeks after he began protesting against Howell. Cagle called for the mayor’s resignation alongside other first responders who accused the mayor of years of mistreatment and misconduct.
City council members say the termination was Howell’s decision and at his discretion. They say they were simply the messengers.
“Supposedly, they told him this morning,” said council member James Reynolds.
Cagle previously told WYMT he knew he could be fired for protesting against Howell. He said if that happened, the rest of Martin’s first responders would have his back.
Cagle was not in attendance at Tuesday night’s meeting. Several community members raised questions about his and the mayor’s absence.