Whataburger Employee Who Refused To Serve Texas Cops Is Fired

A Whataburger employee in Denison, Texas, was fired Saturday for refusing to serve two police officers, according to the Dallas Morning News.

The police officers went to the restaurant early Saturday morning on an overnight shift and were refused service. Denison Police Chief Jay Burch said that the employee claimed “‘cops beat up my boyfriend and are racists’” in a statement on Facebook. Burch also claimed that the employee used profanity at the officers.

The woman was fired, Whataburger’s corporate office said in a statement.

“We took swift action and this person is no longer employed by us,” said the statement. “We've also reached out to the police sergeant to apologize and plan to speak with the other officers involved to apologize in person and make this right. Whataburger truly appreciates our law enforcement and their efforts to protect and serve our communities.”

Burch said in his statement that an officer went to speak to the employee later and checked the documentation of the employee’s boyfriend’s arrest, and said there was no altercation and that the arrest was “routine.” Burch also blamed “anti-police rhetoric from the national media and police-hate groups,” for the maltreatment of his officers.

Another Denison officer, Sgt. Holly Jenkins, released a statement about the incident on Facebook saying that despite the employee’s attitude, the police will still come to the woman’s aid.

“I am saddened, disappointed and angry about the treatment these two officers received this morning. However, when Whataburger or their staff call, we will respond,” said Jenkins. “We will not hesitate. We will respond with courage, compassion and professionalism.”