Pinellas Park firefighter charged in fight resigns
David Alan Veler is accused of hitting another firefighter with an aluminum softball bat.
By ANNE LINDBERG
Published January 11, 2004
PINELLAS PARK - Days before New Year's, some firefighters, paramedics and friends had a party to celebrate David Alan Veler's successful completion of the one-year probationary period for new employees.
Knowing he was going to drink, Veler took a cab to the bash. Another firefighter, Richard Hauser, was supposed to work that day. But Hauser wanted to go to the party, so he called in sick.
Veler drank beer, whiskey and moonshine, and played poker.
Pinellas County deputies were called about 10 p.m. to break up a fight between Veler and Hauser. The deputies made no arrest. Veler already had left in a cab. Hauser declined to press charges.
But Veler soon returned by cab with an aluminum softball bat and, according to deputies, hit Hauser in the head with it.
Now Veler is charged with aggravated battery, a second-degree felony. If he is convicted, Veler could serve up to 15 years in prison and be fined up to $10,000. Veler resigned his job with Pinellas Park on Wednesday before officials fired him.
Hauser has lost the sight in one eye and the hearing in one ear, but officials say he should recover those senses. He is home, recovering.
When he returns to work, Pinellas Park officials plan to investigate whether he violated personnel rules by saying he was sick when he was not. He could be suspended without pay for four to seven days for the first offense. At an annual salary of about $49,000, that could cost him between $800 and $1,400.
Hauser, 42, declined to comment. He has been with the Pinellas Park Fire Department since Jan. 1, 1984.
Veler, 30, who lives in Clearwater, did not return a phone message left with his mother. He was earning about $33,000 per year as a firefighter/paramedic.
But in a Dec. 30 letter to city officials detailing his version of the evening's events, Veler was remorseful.
"I have nothing but sorrow and deep regret for everything that took place," Veler wrote. "I pray Richard is going to be alright and I hope that this doesn't scar the reputation of the department. I love working for Pinellas Park and I pray there is some way to restore the trust in me that you all once had."
Fire Chief Ken Cramer said he was shocked by the events.
"In 25 years (as chief), I've never had anything like this," Cramer said. "The conduct, of course, is unacceptable to the city. ... What they do off duty is pretty much their (business), unless it gets like this and becomes illegal."
Cramer said he was surprised by the accusations against Veler: "He was regarded by his fellow workers as an excellent paramedic, a very quiet individual. To my knowledge, it was very out of character for him."
Hauser, he said, has been a good employee for the past 20 years and has not been a disciplinary problem.
Cramer said the city had no recourse but to fire Veler, who was suspended Monday without pay pending a termination hearing. But Veler resigned Wednesday before the hearing could be held.
Veler's resignation was two sentences: "Please consider this letter to be my notice of resignation effective immediately. My resignation is for personal reasons."
But in the Dec. 30 letter, Veler was more forthcoming about the evening's events:
"On Sunday, Dec. 28, 2003, I held a coming-off probation party, as is tradition. ... There were two kegs of beer and lots of food. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves.
"Towards the evening, there was a poker game, which I attended. While playing poker, I had several glasses of Jack Daniels whiskey. Towards the end of the poker game, I had chugged a Mason jar of "moonshine' that someone had brought.
"I don't have much recollection of the events past this point. Apparently, I was involved in a fight with Richard Hauser and (firefighter Mike) Ciaramello's brother.
"I don't have a clear recollection of the events that took place as I was extremely intoxicated and I'm unable to recall any other information. I was arrested for striking Mr. Hauser with a softball bat of which I don't recall but can't deny."
