Amid Media Storm, Newtown Officer with PTSD Waiting For Hearing Date

A Newtown police officer with post-traumatic stress disorder still doesn't know when he will learn whether or not he'll be fired, according to a union official.

Thomas Bean has been on disability since the Dec. 14 shooting, but may lose his job when an upcoming hearing is scheduled. To date, Newtown police union head Scott Ruszczyk said he hasn't heard when that hearing may be.

"We're waiting for a second hearing date, and we'll make our arguments then they shouldn't be terminating someone on long-term disability," Ruszczyk told Patch. "The town's last offer was in no way acceptable. They offered to pay him, but only a very small portion of what they actually owe him."

Ruszczyk says he hasn't spoken with Chief Michael Kehoe since Bean received intent-to-terminate letters. Bean was scheduled for an earlier hearing, but police agreed to postpone because of a death in the officer's family, Ruszczyk said.

"Prior to that, we had sat down and tried to work out an agreement that would be beneficial to both parties," Ruszczyk said. "He told us he would get back to us, then sent the letters."

Bean is currently drawing half salary under long-term disability, and was given the choice of retiring with a sum he and union representatives considered insufficient or being fired, according to Ruszczyk.

Bean's case has attracted widespread media attention from outlets from CNN to The Huffington Post, including an appearance on NBC's "The Today Show," but lawyers have recommended town officials avoid comment on the matter, according to reports. Kehoe has not commented publicly on the case.

Meanwhile, a petition calling on the town to spare Bean has received more than 1,000 signatures to date. Readers on Patch have offered a mixed reception of Bean's claim.

"Could it be that the Insurance the town has for the Police Dept is not adequate and that is what the problem is?" wrote reader Kari Wright Rustici. "I would imagine this would be in Police Dept contracts. I am also thinking that no one could have predicted this happening and most Police & First responders would be facing the same issues with there disability insurance. There have been alot of first in our town and we all have had to learn to live a new way of life. I am hoping that there will be a resolution very soon for Officer Bean."

"I'm sure the officers who responded felt the horrific tragedy and sadness on December 14th," wrote another reader. "However I have a very hard time reconciling the idea of paying an officer who can no longer do his job when the ones who really suffer are those who were in the building during the shooting and the families of those who died."