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John WM “Pete” Brackin Jr
RUSSELLVILLE-The Franklin County Sheriff’s Department issued a press release concerning the arrest of the president of the Franklin County Rescue Squad on charges of Theft of Property 1st Degree:
“In April 2022, Investigators with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office received a complaint about the Franklin County Rescue Squad having a large sum of money missing. The complaint had been made due to an audit of funds. After a review of bank records and receipts, that were obtained by Investigators, it showed that John WM “Pete” Brackin Jr had been using the funds to purchase items that were not intended for use by the rescue squad. Brackin had been using the funds to purchase food from restaurants, prescription medications, men’s socks, dog food, cat food, apple pies, a shower head, a PlayStation 4 game, a back massager, eggs, peanut butter crackers, internet service at his residence, cell phone bill for service on him and his wife’s phones, and ordering items from Wish.com, etc. On some of the transactions, Brackin would get cash back. Multiple times, he would also get cash from an ATM. In the last 36 months, Brackin used over $13,000 for personal items. Brackin was questioned and admitted to using the funds to purchase the items. He was not able to produce receipts for any of the transactions. He also admitted being an avid PlayStation player and was the one who purchased the PS4 game.
Brackin is the president of the Franklin County Rescue Squad. He has served as the president for several years and there is a pattern of him using the funds of the rescue squad to buy personal items for many, if not all, of those years.
According to documents obtained by the FCSO investigators, the Alabama Association of Rescue Squads does not recognize the Franklin County Rescue Squad as a member. Franklin County EMA does not recognize the Franklin County Rescue Squad as being an active rescue squad.
Brackin and the Franklin County Rescue Squad have been receiving monies from tobacco tax, the Franklin County Commission, and private donations for years. When Brackin was asked to produce records for calls for service, he denied having any. The total amount missing from the last 36 months is $13,019.39 of taxpayer money.
The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office wants the public to know that the Franklin County Rescue Squad periodically asks the public for donations. The rescue squad is not in good standing with state or local officials to operate as a rescue squad. The Franklin County Rescue Squad has been removed from receiving any more taxpayer funds.
Brackin has been arrested for Theft of Property 1st degree. More charges may be added later.”
