‘Concerning normalization of deviance’: Sex offender participated in Fluvanna fire company activities for up to a year

FLUVANNA COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- A Fluvanna County fire company has abruptly closed after leadership discovered that a registered sex offender had been "participating in company activities" -- including responding to calls for service -- for as long as a year.

On Friday, March 27, the Fluvanna County Volunteer Fire Department announced that it was closing the Palmyra Volunteer Fire Company and that all of its members had been suspended from responding to calls due to what was described as a "concerning normalization of deviance."

"It has recently been discovered that an individual who is not a member of the Fluvanna County Volunteer Fire Department had been participating in company activities and spending time at the Palmyra Fire Company for a period exceeding six months, and possibly as long as a year," said Fluvanna County Volunteer Fire Chief Andrew Pullen in a statement.

The man in question, Sammie Gene Morris, Jr., is a registered sex offender who, per online court records, was found guilty of propositioning a minor for sex in 2013. In late 2025, he was charged with violating the terms of his sex offender registration.

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"At this time, it remains unclear how frequently he was present in the firehouse, who he interacted with or in what capacity he may have assisted," Pullen said. "However, it is known that members of the public routinely visit the station, that he attempted to respond to emergency calls and that family members of our personnel may have been in his presence."

Officials did say that Morris responded to several calls in the Kents Store area in his personal vehicle. During those calls, he "exhibited suspicious behavior, was not recognized by responding personnel and was ultimately turned away -- including by the County Fire Chief," Pullen's statement reads.

"While we are not aware of any complaints involving this individual, this situation represents a serious breach of public trust, a violation of the Virginia Office of EMS regulations and potentially a violation of the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Registry requirements," Pullen said.

Morris' photo from the Virginia State Police sex offender registry is included above. If you have encountered or interacted with Morris during any fire calls in connection with any fire company activities, you're asked to contact the Fluvanna County Fire Department immediately.

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"This incident reflects a concerning normalization of deviance within the organization," Pullen said. "Leadership must be held to the highest standards -- failure to exercise sound judgment within the firehouse raises serious concerns about decision-making during emergency incidents, where lives and property are at stake."

Palmyra Fire Company will remain closed "until full accountability is restored and while a third-party investigation is conducted." Investigations into this incident will be carried out by both the Virginia Office of EMS and Virginia State Police, officials said.

While the Palmyra Fire Company is closed, the other two Fluvanna County Volunteer Fire companies and the Lake Monticello Volunteer Fire Department will staff stations to ensure residents are able to receive emergency services when they need them.

No additional information on this incident is available as of the time of reporting.