[05/04/04] A 10-year police veteran, suspended earlier, was fired by the Vicksburg Board of Mayor and Aldermen Monday.

Sgt. William Combs, 37, was dismissed after a closed discussion for reasons that will not be made public unless Combs files an appeal with the Civil Service Commission.

Combs had been suspended for three days after an incident at a local high school football game on Oct. 31. His appeal to the review board indicated he had been charged with insubordination for refusing to extinguish a cigarette while on duty.

Mayor Laurence Leyens said that incident wasn’t the reason for Combs’ firing, but said it was a factor in the board’s decision.

“They showed us about five or six incidents where there were clear acts of insubordination and a lack of respect for authority,” Leyens said.

Combs could not be reached.

Police Chief Tommy Moffett originally had recommended a 30-day suspension for Combs, but after the city board asked him to review all of Combs’ personnel file, Moffett changed his recommendation.

Moffett also would not discuss the specific incident that led to Combs’ being fired.

“I don’t talk about these things,” he said.

In the smoking incident, the Civil Service Commission upheld the city board’s action.

Civil Service commissioners review appeals of city disciplinary actions against police and firefighters and decide whether actions are taken for political or religious reasons.

Civil Service Commission meetings are open to the public, and appeals of their rulings may be taken to Warren County Circuit Court.