Three Little River-Academy volunteer firefighters arrested

LITTLE RIVER-ACADEMY — A local volunteer fire department plagued with past charges of theft of funds by its former fire chief and his son is facing issues again — but not financial ones this time.

Three Little River-Academy volunteer firefighters were arrested Wednesday by the Bell County Sheriff’s Department. John Burroughs, the assistant fire chief; John Mercer, a captain; and Joshua Adkins, a lieutenant, were in the Bell County Jail on Thursday. All three were jailed on third-degree felony holds, and the charge at press time was listed as “screening.”

Karen Hoelker, president of the Little River-Academy Volunteer Fire Department, said she knew the three men were working Wednesday as bond apprehension agents.

Burroughs, 31, is a Temple resident, while Mercer, 50, lives in Heidenheimer. Adkins, 28, lives in Killeen, according to jail information.

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