Former Palmerton Municipal Fire Department Fire Chief Larry Zawaly called it quits in early October after being cleared of theft and receiving stolen property charges.

The charges stem from a crash scene in June where Zawaly, 61, picked up a tool set belonging to the injured truck driver and placed them in the firetruck.According to officer Michael Fedor, Zawaly's behavior was questionable and the tools were concealed behind equipment in the firetruck. He interpreted the act as theft and filed charges against Zawaly.Zawaly said he picked up the tools so that they wouldn't get swept up into the debris from the crash.In late August, District Judge Edward M. Lewis declared there was not enough evidence to bring the theft charges against Zawaly to trial.By early October, Zawaly had decided to turn in his notice of retirement from the fire department and resign entirely from the Palmerton Municipal Fire Department. The Palmerton Borough Council accepted his retirement and resignation and appointed Dennis Behler as the department's new fire chief. Behler had been serving as the assistant fire chief.