Battalion fire chief arrested on domestic battery charge

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. -- Court documents from St. Joseph County Superior Court reveal on Monday around 9:50 p.m., officers with the Mishawaka Police Department responded to a residence in the 200 block of Elder Street for a domestic disturbance.

Police say the victim was found sitting on the front steps of the home with blood on the right side of their face/head.

The victim told police Christopher Haggerty, the Battalion Chief at Centre Township Fire Department, had battered them.

The victim told police they were celebrating with Haggerty about their new job opportunity, when an argument ensued, and he began throwing things around, yelling, and eventually throwing food.

The victim told police they went into a bedroom to call 911. After returning to the kitchen, the victim said they got on their hands and knees and began cleaning up the food near the basement door.

The victim told police that's when Haggerty threw a paper towel holder at their head and immediately after, picked up a cutting board, raising it as if to hit them.

The victim said Haggerty had apparently noticed their head wound bleeding and instead of hitting them asked what happened to their head.

Documents state the victim had blood running down the side of their head and they were very upset, crying throughout interactions with police and EMS.

The victim was treated for a small laceration to their head.

Police say there was food on the floor, walls, and ceiling of the kitchen, and fresh damage to the wall near where the victim said they were injured.

Authorities say the damage was consistent with the paper towel holder identified as the one thrown.

Haggerty was arrested and charged with one count of Domestic Battery.

He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim.