UPDATE: An article penned by the Temple Daily Telegram's Deborah McKeon has shed more light on the events leading to the arrest of three volunteer firefighters accused of impersonating law enforcement officers.

McKeon reports that John Burroughs, assist fire chief for the Littler River Academy Volunteer Fire Department, was asked by a bail bond company to find Glenn David Barfield III, who had missed a court date. Burroughs, who is not a licensed bounty hunter, was reportedly joined by the department's chief, Joseph Mercer, and volunteer firefighter Joshua Adkins. Mercer and Adkins are licensed private investigators.

According to Major T.J. Cruz with the Bell County Sheriff's Office, the three activated blue and red lights atop their vehicles as they stopped Barfield's wife, London Harris, near FM 93 and Spur 93. The three reportedly left the scene after Harris told them she was on the phone with 9-1-1. They were later taken into custody, and each was charged with impersonating a public servant.

Mercer and Adkins were released on personal recognizance bonds. Burroughs was bonded out by the company that reportedly sent him to find Barfield.

Barfield remained in the Bell County Jail Monday night, charged with criminal mischief. His bond was set at $3,000. Records indicate he's had several run-ins with the law.


Three Central Texas men are currently in custody in the Bell County Jail for impersonating a public servant.

Major TJ Cruz with the Bell County Sheriff's Department told our parnters at KWTX that authorities were called out to an area in proximity of FM 93 and Spurs 93 around 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Police were notified that an armed person might be at the scene. The person who called 911 said three men blocked him in using their vehicles, which featured red and blue lights resembling those of an emergency vehicle.

Cruz reported that the alleged phony cops left the scene and were seen heading to Academy.

Authorities caught up with the vehicles of the suspects and arrested the three men: James E. Mercer, John E. Burroughs, and Joshua Adkins. They were booked with bonds totaling $100,000.

 

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