Lewes FD leaders say Buckaloo should resign

Two top members of the Lewes Fire Department said Sept. 5 that a recently suspended former fire chief should resign from his membership.

“In my opinion, for the best interests of the Lewes Fire Department, it would be good for Mr. Buckaloo to resign,” said Wally Evans, president of the department.

William Buckaloo, who was elected fire chief in 2024, resigned from his post in July after officials said he made a derogatory comment in a public setting.

Buckaloo has been a lightning rod for controversy over the years, receiving backlash in 2020 following a social media post featuring an anti-gay slur he made while attending a drag show in Rehoboth Beach. He apologized but was later suspended and relieved of his position as assistant chief.

Fire Chief Robert Stephens, who was elected Aug. 4 after serving as interim fire chief following Buckaloo’s latest resignation, said Buckaloo should absolutely resign from the department.

“I believe in my heart that Bill Buckaloo should resign, and I do not agree with anything he said,” Stephens said.

Stephens said he does not have the authority to force Buckaloo to resign, and it’s something Buckaloo will have to do on his own.

Evans said a fire department committee investigated Buckaloo’s infraction and handed out disciplinary action. He said he had no comment on a 60-day suspension given to Buckaloo in connection with the latest incident.

Evans said he’s disappointed that some members have reached out anonymously to local media outlets instead of trying to work for change within. As written, current bylaws prevent sharing personnel issues with the public, but that could be changed through a committee process culminating in a full membership vote, said department spokesman Glenn Marshall.

Stephens said any possible loopholes in the bylaws will be examined, but right now, they are set in stone.

In a formal statement, the department said: “The Lewes Fire Department Inc. has completed the investigation into the comments made by member Bill Buckaloo and finalized the disciplinary process. No further information will be released in accordance with the department’s bylaws and constitution. The Lewes Fire Department Inc. continues to focus on providing emergency response and public education to the community we serve.”

Moving forward, both Evans and Stephens said they have reached out to some community members and intend to reach out to more.

Evans said a meeting with the NAACP at the fire station Sept. 4 fell through, but they are working on another date. 

“I’m hoping when the NAACP comes down, we can sit down with them and they can give us some training ideas,” he said. “We will do their training.”

Evans said officials are committed to moving forward and changing negativity in the department. 

He stressed that when firefighters receive a fire call, no questions are ever asked about race, color, creed or any other identity group.

“We have served this community for over 280 years, faithfully … If you dial 911, we’re coming, “ Evans said.

Stephens agreed.

“It doesn’t matter who you are, what you are or how you are, we are here for the community, and we will do everything in our power to make sure the community is served,” he said. 

Attempts to reach Buckaloo for comment have been unsuccessful.