Woman punched, choked by JFRD employee, report says

An engineer with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department is under investigation following an arrest on domestic battery charges.

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said Allen Hawk, 40, was arrested Monday night.

JFRD confirmed that Hawk has been with the department since 2004. A spokesperson for the agency said the Action News Jax inquiry about Hawk’s arrest sparked a preliminary investigation.

Deputies said Hawk punched a woman and choked her during a domestic dispute at a home in St. Johns County.

According to the arrest report, Hawk was intoxicated and became upset with the victim “for not talking to him and punched her on the left side of the face.”

The victim told deputies that Hawk choked her to the point she could not breathe and passed out.

The report said the victim was able to escape and go to her sister’s house for help.

The Sheriff’s Office said the victim went to Memorial Emergency Care for her injuries.

The responding deputy said he observed swelling on the victim’s face which was beginning to bruise and a small cut on the inside of her lip.

Deputies said Hawk admitted that an argument ensued, but denied that it turned physical.

Hawk’s bond was set at $3,500.

Hawk has been placed on 40-hour re-assignment pending outcome of the investigation, JFRD told Action News Jax.

Cox Media Group