Bodycam video shows a physical altercation involving Rocky Ford fire chief, homeowner during a fire

A video from April 2022 in Rocky Ford was sent to 11 News, reportedly showing the Rocky Ford fire chief getting into an altercation with a resident during a reported house fire.

The incident in question started in the 200 block of N. 5th Street in Rocky Ford on April 6, 2022. The Rocky Ford police chief shared details of the call, explaining Fire Chief Ray Gonzales was on scene at about 11:47 p.m. that night, and the man he got into a physical altercation with was taken into custody at 11:51 p.m. and was released without charges the next day. Body-worn camera video shows a man running toward a house with a smoking roof before the fire chief tries to get him away from the house, and then appears to shove the citizen. The officer wearing the body-worn camera then appears to place the citizen into custody.

According to online court records, the officer involved, George Ibarra, is facing charges of tampering with evidence, theft and official misconduct. It isn’t clear if those charges are in any way tied to the incident on April 6, 2022, but online court records state his alleged crimes happened on Jan. 5, 2023.