16-year Columbia Fire veteran suspended, allegedly touched co-worker inappropriately

A 16-year veteran with the Columbia Fire Department was on investigatory suspension Friday after being charged with second degree assault and battery.

Captain Jeffrey Rish, 38, was accused of ‘inappropriately touching a male firefighter on October 6, 2015 while working on Blume Court,” police chief Skip Holbrook said in a news release. The accusation was made January 27, 2016.

Columbia Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins had no comment on the specifics of the case, saying only that the case “does not reflect the character, dedication and professionalism of the men and women of the Columbia Fire Department.”

Rish usually worked out of the fire department’s station 12 on North Main Street, officials said.

A personal recognizance bond of $5000 for Rish was set at a court hearing on Friday.

This story was originally published February 12, 2016 at 4:45 PM.