Son of Eighth Utilities District Fire Department Chief Resigns After Drug Arrest

, the 24-year old member of the Manchester Eighth Utilities District Fire Department who was arrested last month in the parking lot of the district's fire department on Main Street and charged with buying heroin while on duty, has resigned from his position at the department, according to Eighth Utilities District President Mary O'Marra. 

O'Marra said that Litrico, who is the son of the Eighth Utilities District Fire Chief Paul Litrico and Assistant Chief Mary Beth, formally resigned April 17. Joseph Litrico, who serves as a fire fighter and an Emergency Medical Technician for the district, one of the few paid positions in the largely volunteer department, was pending an investigation into the circumstances surrounding his arrest. 

O'Marra said Litrico's resignation closes the district's investigation, since he is no longer an employee of the department. 

"That closes the whole incident," she told Patch Wednesday afternoon. 

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone every day with our free newsletter. Simple, fast sign-up here.

O'Marra said "there was no severance package" given to Joseph Litrico. 

According to police, Joseph Litrico was observed by surveillance units purchasing heroin while on duty and in uniform in the parking lot of the fire house on Main Street March 12. When police approached Litrico, they said he admitted to purchasing the drugs. A search of Litrico's person and vehicle revealed five bags of heroin (approximately 1.97 grams), more than 50 bags of already used heroin, Suboxone pills — a restricted narcotic used to treat opiate addictions — a small amount of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia. 

Joseph Litrico was charged with possession of heroin, possession of Suboxone, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of narcotics within 1,500 of a school, possession of drug paraphernalia within 1,500 feet of a school and possession of less than half an ounce of marijuana. He is next scheduled to appear in court on the charges May 24. 

Are you a fan of Manchester Patch? Then show us the love by following us on Facebook or Twitter! It's the best way to get updates on all the latest news and information in Manchester as it happens.