JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced Friday that an arrest has been made in connection with threats made to the Oceanway fire station earlier this month.
JSO Director Tom Hackney said the investigation into the 911 call threatening Fire Station 35 revealed the caller, 41-year-old James Gay, had made 61 calls to the 911 system since Dec. 20 and none were of an emergency nature.
Gay has been arrested and charged with unlawful use of the 911 system and one other misdemeanor charge, Hackney said.
"This takes time away from those who desperately need our help," Hackney said. "Hopefully he'll learn that 911 is for emergencies only."
In a statement, the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department said: "We are both pleased and relieved that JSO was able to identify and apprehend the culprit."
Fire Union President Randy Wyse said his men and women appreciate the sheriff's office for putting them at ease on the threats.
"We respond with them every day," Wyse said. "It's a kindred spirit, no doubt about it. We're glad they're there with guns to protect us. And if they ever get hurt in a situation, they call and we'll come as fast as we can. So it's a brother protecting a brother."
Hackney said Gay is not connected in any way to the drive-by shooting targeting Southside firefighters in late December.
Hackney said during the 61 calls to 911, Gay repeatedly made harassing statements and borderline threatening comments about police officers and firefighters.
Wyse said it's a dangerous job-- whether you're serving the public safety as an officer or a firefighter. And those two departments share a great deal of respect for each other.
They also want people to understand the dangers involved when an emergency hotline is abused.
"Any false 911 call is very bad for system, it could jeopardize firefighters and police officer safety and the public safety by just doing that. I don't think people realize, they think it's a joke-- but there can really be some bad outcomes there," said Wyse.
"We take these calls seriously," Hackney said "We take the misuse of the 911 system equally seriously." Hackey said.
Hackney said Gay had a very distinctive voice in the recorded calls and was also positively identified by his father as the man who made calls.
Hackney said Gay has a lengthy criminal history involving misdemeanors and is a registered sexual offender.
Hackney said Gay was remorseful after he was taken into custody and he is not sure of Gay's mental status.