Nevada’s Leading Fire Official Dismissed Following Suspected DUI Accident

By Blog


Published on: February 26, 2026, 07:20h.

Updated on: February 27, 2026, 04:34h.

  • State Fire Marshal of Nevada dismissed after DUI incident
  • Joseph Rodriguez reportedly collided with a state vehicle early Saturday in Sparks, Nevada.
  • The military veteran and former school board representative will appear in court on March 9

Nevada’s top fire official was relieved of his duties on Wednesday, February 25, following an arrest linked to a DUI charge.

Joseph Rodriguez, Nevada State Fire Marshal
Joseph Rodriguez was appointed as Nevada’s State Fire Marshal last September. (Image: Nevada State Police)

At 3:10 a.m. on Saturday, February 21, Joseph Rodriguez, 41, was taken into custody in Sparks, Nevada, after allegedly crashing a state-owned car, according to the Washoe County Sheriff’s deputies.

The specifics of Rodriguez’s blood-alcohol level have not been disclosed. Nevada’s Department of Public Safety (NDPS) mandates a strict zero-tolerance policy for state employees using state vehicles.

Rodriguez was placed on administrative leave on Monday pending an investigation, but by Wednesday, his leave was made permanent.

In the meantime, the Nevada State Fire Marshal Division is now temporarily overseen by the NDPS’s State Police Investigation Division “to maintain continuity of operations,” as per an NDPS press statement.

The department asserts its commitment to “professionalism, accountability, and the continuous provision of services to all communities and partner agencies within Nevada.”

Due to the nature of the situation being classified as a personnel issue, further comments from the department were not forthcoming.

Rodriguez continues to serve on the City Council of Sparks, Nevada, where he was elected in November 2024. After his release from Washoe County Jail on February 21, he participated in the council’s February 23 meeting via Zoom.

Prior to his appointment as State Fire Marshal, Rodriguez served as a member of the Washoe County School Board. His extensive background also includes experience in law enforcement, firefighting, and military service, having completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan as a military police officer with the Nevada Army National Guard.

Rodriguez is scheduled to appear in court on March 9 to address the charges against him.



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