Overton fire chief retires, citing internal conflict and drama

OVERTON – Our news partner KETK reports that Overton Fire Chief Mickey Hamilton announced his retirement on Thursday, effective immediately, citing drama and ongoing internal conflict, including alleged micromanagement from the city manager, as his main reasons for the sudden departure.

In a letter, Hamilton stated that the disrespect displayed by the city manager had rendered the role untenable. He said this was not how he expected to close the chapter, which had lasted 46 years, during which he had protected and served the community.

Hamilton said he wishes he had finished his career with ‘dignity and peace,’ helping mentor future leaders and building a stronger department.

“Serving as your Fire Chief has been an immense privilege, and I am proud of all that we have accomplished together,” Hamilton said. “To the citizens of this city—I love you. I love this city and it pains me deeply to go.”

Hamilton was appointed to the position in December 2022, after several firefighters and the then-fire chief resigned two months prior.

Former Assistant Fire Chief T.J. Lewis stated that small-town politics were the reason for several volunteers to quit. As the first one to resign, Lewis believes communication is the biggest problem.

“There’s a lack of management coming from the top. I think there’s been a couple of people that have been allowed to just roam free and essentially bully their way into different organizations,” Lewis said in 2022. “Different departments being able to persuade people into, I guess you could say, their agenda.”

In May 2025, City Manager Shane West raised concerns about the fire department after first responders received a call of a medical emergency. According to an Overton Police Department report shared by West, the fire department had been paged three times and didn’t respond.

KETK News has reached out to West for comment and has not heard back.