A Texas paramedic who was fired after he was caught on video kicking and punching a homeless man will get his job back after a favorable ruling from a judge, The Dallas Morning News reported Tuesday.
During a civil service hearing, a judge ruled that Brad Cox shouldn't have been fired by Dallas Fire-Rescue. However, he will be demoted and will not get back pay if he returns to his job.
Cox had accused the homeless man of starting the fires with a cigarette along Interstate 30 and told responding officers that the man had attacked him as he tried to put out one of the fires. He claimed that the man repeatedly got up off the ground and charged at him.
Cox, who reportedly has a history of disciplinary problems, testified at the hearing that he was In fear for his life and his use of force was justified.
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“I don’t ever leave the house wanting to fight anybody ever,” Cox said at the hearing. “I was put in a situation that I had no choice.”
The kicks and punches allegedly aggravated a brain injury suffered by the man, fractured an eye socket, cracked teeth and fractured a sinus. They also partially paralyzed the right side of his face.
Cox is also reportedly trained as a mixed martial arts fighter.
