DOCUMENTS: The Email That Put the Rusk Police Chief on Leave—For PTSD

DOCUMENTS: Here’s A Look At The Email That Put the Rusk Police Chief on Leave—For PTSD

RUSK, Texas (TXAN 24) — Newly released public records shed light on why Rusk Police Chief Scott L. Heagney was placed on administrative leave, pointing to internal complaints, whistleblower claims, and allegations of retaliation involving county and school district officials.

In a May 2025 email to city officials, Heagney requested clarification regarding two complaints reportedly filed against him through the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office. In the correspondence, Heagney questioned whether the complaints met basic legal and procedural requirements under Texas law and TCOLE regulations, noting that at least one complaint was undated and unsigned and that no formal written complaints were submitted by named individuals.

Heagney stated he had not been informed of any specific violations of law or department policy and asserted the complaints stemmed from his lawful investigative activities. According to the document, those investigations involved alleged conflicts of interest related to Rusk ISD trustees who also served as security contractors and high-ranking sheriff’s deputies.

The police chief further identified himself as a whistleblower, claiming he raised concerns about potential ethical and legal violations months earlier and feared retaliation as a result. In the email, Heagney alleged that pressure was applied to halt his investigations and that threats were made to withhold services from the city.

Heagney also disclosed personal impacts, writing that job-related stress caused his PTSD symptoms to reoccur and that he felt harassed, intimidated, and prevented from performing his duties.

The letter concluded with a request for an independent legal review or outside investigation before any administrative action proceeded. The City of Rusk has not publicly detailed the specific basis for placing Heagney on leave.