A volunteer firefighter and Lieutenant with the Pardeeville Fire Department in Wisconsin has filed a federal lawsuit alleging that he was suspended and ultimately dismissed from the department in retaliation for raising concerns about safety, leadership, and department operations.

Lieutenant Edward Horzewski filed suit against Fire Chief Rick Wendt and the Pardeeville Fire Department as defendants and alleges violations of Horzewski’s First Amendment rights under 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

According to the complaint, Lt. Horzewski joined the Pardeeville Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter in October 2019. In January 2024, department members voted to make him a Lieutenant.

The dispute traces back to an August 19, 2025 public meeting of the Pardeeville Fire Protection District Board. The PFPDB is a board composed of representatives from the four municipalities served by the Pardeeville Fire Department, with limited oversight authority that includes appointing the Fire Chief while leaving the department’s internal operations to the fire department itself. 

Lt. Horzewski states that he provided each board member with a letter outlining what he described as “safety issues, liability concerns, and issues that have been unable to be resolved within the department’s chain of command.”

In the letter, Lt. Horzewski alleged that members had left the department due to frustration with leadership and that others were reluctant to speak out because of “fear of the constant bullying and backlash from our current Chief and his son, the current Assistant Chief.”

The complaint alleges that a group of concerned members had been meeting outside department functions to discuss ways to improve the department and ensure compliance with state requirements. According to the lawsuit, members had separately met with Fire Chief Wendt to discuss their concerns but believed those concerns were ignored.

The letter reportedly raised a number of issues, including allegations that department members were drinking before or while on duty, that the department lacked policies required by state standards, and that significant safety concerns were being overlooked.

The letter concluded with a request that the board intervene, stating in part:

“The nepotism and lack of transparency in our current department have escalated beyond problematic. They have become a systemic safety and liability concern for our community.”

Less than a week later, on August 25, 2025, Fire Chief Wendt allegedly filed a “complaint of misconduct” against Lt. Horzewski. According to the complaint, the allegations included failing to follow the chain of command, posting false information on social media, and forming an unauthorized committee.

The next day, August 26, 2025, the department suspended Lieutenant Horzewski from active duty for 120 days.

The suspension letter reportedly stated:

“While we recognize that this is your first offense, the nature of the conduct necessitates a firm response to maintain the integrity, professionalism, and standards expected of all Department members.”

According to the lawsuit, the letter did not identify the specific conduct that led to the discipline.

The complaint states that Lt. Horzewski was never given notice and an opportunity to contest his suspension. On or about October 9, 2025, department members received notice of an upcoming vote on whether Lt. Horzewski should be dismissed from the department.

According to the lawsuit, the notice accused Lt. Horzewski of “airing grievances on social media” and writing letters of complaint that “blindside[d] Department leadership.” It further alleged that he participated in creating an unauthorized committee that sought to “formulate plans to undermine current Department leadership.”

The notice reportedly concluded:

“Given these actions and a general mistrust going forward, this is immediate grounds to consider a vote to dismiss.”

On or about October 28, 2025, department members voted to dismiss Lt. Horzewski from the department.

The lawsuit contends that Lt. Horzewski’s statements to the fire district board constituted protected speech on matters of public concern and that both his suspension and dismissal were retaliation for exercising his First Amendment rights. He seeks compensatory damages, punitive damages against Fire Chief Wendt, attorney’s fees, costs, and other relief.