re: Wife of St. Tammany parish fire chief killed by bullet, not the fire

Is this the latest?

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St. Tammany fire chief, with wife's killing unsolved, now at center of civil service probe | St. Tammany | theadvocate.com
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Steve Krentel (image via WWL-TV).

On his first day back at work since his wife's fatal shooting in July, Steve Krentel, a St. Tammany Parish fire chief, was hit with a complaint that he was having a romantic relationship with a subordinate and has committed other unethical acts, from destroying district property to intimidation.

The civil service board for St. Tammany Fire Protection District 12 voted Wednesday to open an investigation into the allegations and to hold its first hearing on the matter Nov. 20.

Henry Olinde, a Baton Rouge attorney who is advising the three-member board, said that the panel is required to investigate when it receives a complaint and has a 60-day time limit in which to conduct its investigation.

Krentel has been on personal leave since his wife's badly burned remains were discovered in the couple's house in Lacombe, which was destroyed by fire.

St. Tammany Parish Coroner Charles Preston ruled the death a homicide caused by a single gunshot wound to the head. The Sheriff's Office held an unusual press conference in September to announce Krentel had been cleared as a suspect.

The new allegations come from Thomas Williamson, a firefighter with District 12. Williamson's letter of complaint, dated Oct. 11, said he had concerns that begin with possible ethics violations "and may extend even beyond civil service parameters."

He accused Krentel, among other things, of intimidation. "Chief Krentel has also made it clear that he is 'taking names of who and what has been said about him' in an effort to retaliate when he returns to work," the letter said.

He also claimed that Krentel took air conditioners out of vehicles that had been acquired for a now-defunct ambulance service and destroyed district property by removing identifying stickers from his take-home vehicle.

Among Williamson's other beefs: He said Krentel was allowed to move into the fire department headquarters following the house fire and that amenities were bought for him. And he expressed concern that Krentel’s presence created a safety threat to employees since his wife was killed “and he could possibly be the next target.”

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Is this the latest?

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This was just posted on the Justice for Nanette FB page. It was written by Nan's Father. My heart breaks for him..

My name is Dan Watson, I am Nanette’s father, and I am here to speak on behalf of Nanette.

My beloved daughter was brutally murdered on July 14, 2017. It’s been 5 months, and I have no idea as to who committed this horrific act of violence against Nanette. I am told there are no suspects and that there are no leads. I am very troubled and conflicted with the lack of progress in solving Nanette’s murder, but there is something else about this that should trouble us all.

There is a cold- blooded killer in our midst, and that should be of great concern to every citizen of St. Tammany Parish. This monster has complete and total disregard for life. He shot Nanette in the back of the head. He burned her house to the ground with her body inside until it was unrecognizable. He murdered her dog Harley and her cats Baby Kitty and Smokey. This person is sick and has no place in St. Tammany Parish or civilized society, and he is still out there. He must be caught and brought to justice for what he did.

I am also here to state, in no uncertain terms, that I will never stop pursuing Nanette’s killer until every lead has been investigated and every possibility exhausted. Also know that I have made no assumptions about nor drawn any conclusions regarding anyone’s guilt or innocence. I will listen to any information about anyone that is available.

If you know anything at all or have any information about anyone who may have been involved in this murder, I ask that you call Crime Stoppers. If you are not comfortable calling Crime Stoppers, then you can message me through this page.

I am a 74 year old man, and I’m about to spend my first Christmas without my baby girl. For me, there will be no phone call, no Christmas card, no “Merry Christmas- I love you Daddy”- nothing. It saddens me deeply.

If you know something, I implore you to come forward and help me.

Thank You

if a fire chief can’t stop his house from being burnt down with his wife in it, how can he stop your house from being burnt down with your loved ones in it.

That should be a fireable offense for a fire chief to have his house burnt down with his wife in it.

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It’s been 5 months, and I have no idea as to who committed this horrific act of violence against Nanette. I am told there are no suspects and that there are no leads. I am very troubled and conflicted with the lack of progress in solving Nanette’s murder

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Because the sheriff cleared the murderer before a full investigation was done.

The sheriff is complicit in this. He needs to do a full investigation and then arrest Krentel.

any updates?

Northshore fire chief gives $5,000 to increase reward in wife's homicide
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The new allegations come from Thomas Williamson, a firefighter with District 12. Williamson's letter of complaint, dated Oct. 11, said he had concerns that begin with possible ethics violations "and may extend even beyond civil service parameters."

He accused Krentel, among other things, of intimidation. "Chief Krentel has also made it clear that he is 'taking names of who and what has been said about him' in an effort to retaliate when he returns to work," the letter said.

He also claimed that Krentel took air conditioners out of vehicles that had been acquired for a now-defunct ambulance service and destroyed district property by removing identifying stickers from his take-home vehicle.

Among Williamson's other beefs: He said Krentel was allowed to move into the fire department headquarters following the house fire and that amenities were bought for him. And he expressed concern that Krentel’s presence created a safety threat to employees since his wife was killed “and he could possibly be the next target.”

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From the FB page of Rob bMasson of Fox 8 :

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District 12 firefighter Tom Williamson who earlier said he feared retaliation, has been placed on administrative leave by the district 12 board of commissioners. The move comes about a month after he alleged wrongdoing on the part of district 12 Fire Chief Steven Krentel.

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This post was followed by comments like these:

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As a paid professional firefighter for over 30 years these problems at District 12 has been going on since the beginning to the districts beginnings something is in the woodpile International Association of firefighters local 3704 Mandeville Louisiana will stand behind you at all cost

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Louisiana Whistle Blower Law RS 23:967 clearly states there is NOT to be reprisal against an employee who in "Good Faith" reports an infraction. That entire board and administration needs to be relieved. I have been a firefighter since 1992 and over the years FD12 has ALWAYS been in the spotlight for wrongdoings. This comes as no surprise!

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Good thing St. Tammany has deep pockets, they’re gonna need them. This is gonna get ugly for the parish and Mr Fire Chief I’m afraid!

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This will be a Dateline episode one day. There has got to be evidence some where and someone knows something.

Now that Billy Nungesser is on the case we can expect a quick resolution ... not. What is that fat knucklehead planning on doing? Does the LT Gov's Office have a crack team of investigators?

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Now that Billy Nungesser is on the case we can expect a quick resolution ... not. What is that fat knucklehead planning on doing? Does the LT Gov's Office have a crack team of investigators?

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It brings a renewed interest in the case. It also brings his support and his colleagues in various branches of the gov't and law enforcement. There is also his network of the everyday people he interacts with.

It sends the message to the ST Tam SO that everyone's eyes are upon them and if they are part of the coverup and ineptitude then they need to be on alert because they will not get away with it.