Fire chief to repay 49K in theft case

PERRYVILLE – Perryville Volunteer Fire Department Chief Daniel Charles Alexander has been ordered to pay more than $49,000 in restitution for failing to work on a private construction project. According to our news partner KETK, Alexander allegedly signed a contract on March 19, 2025, to construct a 40×40-foot shop building for an unnamed victim in exchange for $38,796, but the building was recorded as 30 feet by 40 feet instead of the desired 40 by 40 feet.

Officials said the victim contacted Alexander and he reportedly responded by verbally proposing that he add the extra ten feet for $10,443. They verbally agreed on the added price, and Alexander was paid upfront with two checks, one for $38,796 and a second for $10,443, totaling $49,239.

County records show that the victim purportedly contacted Alexander several times to begin work on the building. After Alexander allegedly gave several excuses for not starting work, the victim filed a theft-of-service report with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, since the work was supposed to be done in Franklin County.

Alexander was then booked into the Wood County Jail on July 17, 2005 before being released four days later. On March 20, 2026, a Franklin County District Court sentenced Alexander to pay $49,239.50 in restitution to the victim.

The district clerk’s office also said Alexander will have 10 years of deferred adjudication, meaning he’ll avoid a guilty verdict on a theft of property charge if he completes his probation.

KETK News contacted the Perryville Volunteer Fire Department on Monday to confirm whether or not Alexander still served as their chief. A department official said the case against Alexander has been “blown out of proportion,” has “done more harm to the department than good,” and that they have no other comment on the case.