Buckaloo suspension ends

Former Lewes Fire Chief Bill Buckaloo is now eligible to return to the department, after completing a 60-day suspension.

Buckaloo resigned his position in July and was given the punishment after officials said he made a derogatory comment in a public setting.

In handing down the suspension, Lewes Fire Department President Wally Evans said Buckaloo could come back when the punishment is complete, if he chooses to do so. 

In September, Evans and newly elected Fire Chief Robbie Stephens called for Buckaloo to resign his membership in the department and not return.

The department held a membership meeting Oct. 7, where the Buckaloo situation was apparently discussed. But when the Cape Gazette asked fire department spokesman Glenn Marshall about the outcome of the meeting, Marshall said he could not talk about it.

“We have bylaws and a constitution, and we would be violating that if we discussed department business,” Marshall said.

He said that not only can Buckaloo decide to come back, but also nothing in the bylaws prevents him for running for chief or another leadership position.

Stephens told the Cape Gazette there was no vote at the Oct. 7 meeting, but that he too could not discuss any details of what happened.

“I think everybody understands we have to follow the constitution and bylaws of the Lewes Fire Department. It’s legally binding,” Stephens said.

This is not the first time Buckaloo has been at the center of controversy.

In 2020, he was suspended for posting an anti-gay slur after attending a drag show in Rehoboth Beach. Buckaloo later resigned and was relieved as assistant chief.

Fire department membership voted in 2024 to bring him back as fire chief.

In the wake of the latest incident, the Delaware NAACP requested a meeting with the city and the fire department.

Lewes Mayor Amy Marasco said that meeting took place Sept. 18, with her, Evans, Marshall, city managers and three members of the NAACP in attendance, including state conference President Fleur McKendell.

Marasco described the meeting as positive and cooperative, but she said people left knowing there was more work to do.

“The NAACP offered to help the fire department with any kind of training facilitation. But they made it clear that the issue was very upsetting and they were worried that, is it one person or is there a cultural issue here?” Marasco said.

She said the fire department said it would double down on training and education.

The city does not have jurisdiction over the Lewes Fire Department because it is an independent nonprofit. But, Marasco said, the situation had to be addressed.

“The fire department is part of public service and leadership, so they are partners. That’s why I wanted to convene the session to say, ‘This can’t go on, so what do we do as leaders?’” she said.

City council typically gives the fire department a $75,000 annual donation.

Marasco said she does not expect the Buckaloo situation to have any impact on that contribution.