NORWALK — A legal erupted earlier this month over the leadership of the Norwalk Fire Department following allegations the city improperly altered civil service examination scores to promote an unqualified candidate to Assistant Fire Chief.
Willard Fire Captain Max Helton is suing Assistant Fire Chief Benjamin Blodgett, Norwalk Mayor David Light, and the City of Norwalk, in the Sixth District Court of Appeal in Toledo. The lawsuit asks the court to oust Blodgett from office and order Mayor Light to appoint Helton to the role.
The suit alleges a blatant violation of local civil service rules: Blodgett failed the mandatory written examination, but city officials rounded his score up to a passing grade anyway.
It adds up
In March 2026, the City of Norwalk opened applications to replace its vacant Assistant Fire Chief position. According to Norwalk Codified Ordinance (NCO) 147.05, applicants must complete a multi-step evaluation process, beginning with a written civil service examination.
On April 9, 2026, the Norwalk Civil Service Commission established a strict 70.00% minimum passing score on the written exam to advance in the hiring process.
When four candidates sat for the May 27 examination administered through the Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association:
Max Helton scored an 80.00% (100 out of 125 questions correct), cleanly passing the benchmark.
Benjamin Blodgett scored a 69.60% (87 out of 125 questions correct) — a failing score under city rules.
Despite missing the cut, city records attached to the court filing show the City of Norwalk rounded Blodgett’s 69.60% up to a 70.00%.
The complaint asserts this act was “unsupported by law, rule, or written policy,” artificially qualifying Blodgett so he could move forward to the assessment center, interviews, and psychological evaluations.
Appointed despite disqualification
After advancing through the remaining evaluation steps, Fire Chief Dan Strayer and Safety-Service Director Aaron Adams recommended Blodgett for the promotion on August 5. Mayor David Light approved the recommendation and formally offered Blodgett the position on August 11.
Blodgett was sworn in as Assistant Fire Chief on August 18, 2026.
Helton’s lawsuit—filed under extraordinary legal remedies known as Quo Warranto (challenging a person’s right to hold a public office) and Mandamus (ordering a public official to fulfill an official duty)—argues that because Blodgett failed the initial written test, he was legally disqualified from the start.
By extension, Helton argues he was the only candidate who lawfully passed every stage of the selection process under city ordinances.
In addition to ousting Blodgett and forcing Helton’s appointment, the complaint seeks back pay, damages, court costs, and attorney fees from the city.
Mayor David Light and City of Norwalk officials have not yet filed a formal response in the Sixth District Court of Appeals.