Hearse Drivers’ Donut Run: Two Fired For Leaving War Vet’s Body Unattended At Dunkin’ Donuts


Reportedly, a cup of coffee cost two funeral workers in Florida their jobs. According to a report from CBS News, two hearse drivers were fired after going on a coffee run at a doughnut shop and leaving a war veteran’s body and flag-draped coffin unattended at a New Port Richey Dunkin’ Donuts.

When Rob Carpenter was out and about Tuesday morning, he was enraged at what he saw at a parking lot. The open curtains inside a black hearse revealed a coffin with the American flag draped over it. Inside, were the mortal remains of United States Army veteran, Lt. Col. Jesse Coleman, 84, who served in the Vietnam and Korean wars.

The vet was being transported to his funeral service from Veterans Funeral Care. Meanwhile, drivers were inside the local donut shop grabbing coffee.

Carpenter confronted the drivers of the hearse outside the donut shop about leaving the casket unattended. Later, he shared images and video of the scene with VeteranWarriors, a local group on the area. The photos were then posted to social media.

Jim Rudolph, president of the funeral home, says he cannot fathom what the drivers were thinking when they stopped to get coffee at the doughnut chain. He says the core of his business focuses on honoring military veterans, and the coffee stop runs counter to the company’s values.

“It’s absolutely terrible. It’s not what we do. It’s a total lack of respect. It’s a rule; it’s understood. When a car is headed to a service, when there two or more people in a car, it doesn’t pull over.

Both drivers of the hearse were fired for stopping to grab a cup of Joe. Rudolph says that he believes if both men could turn the clocks back, he believes they “would do things differently.”

In wake of the incident, responses from readers were mixed. Although many expressed outrage, some think the company overacted.

“The coffee could wait!!!! What the heck were they thinking….”

“Hope they got sacked, disgraceful.”

“Give me a break people. The guy had to go to the bathroom. Have we become so intolerant in this country that when someone has to pee we say tough? Does the hurst come with facilities so they don’t need to stop? To fire people over this is down right stupid.”

“Social media and someone wanting 5 minutes of fame for uploading it is disgusting. These men did nothing to disrespect him and in there 70’s still working, shame shame shame! Maybe they needed a bathroom break.”

Share your thoughts below. Should the two hearse drivers have been fired for stopping at the doughnut retailer for a coffee break?

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