High court says chief firing issues moot now that he's in federal pen

 The state Supreme Court says former police chief Bobby Hickman, seving time in federal prison, cannot get the job back.
He was fired by the city council in January 2011 after refusing to take part in a probe of claims by  former officer Charlie Lopez, who alleged he supplied Hickman with Hydrocodone and Valiums in exchange for a promotion and overtime approval.
Subsequently, Hickman was arrested on charges of domestic abuse, unauthorized entry into an inhabited dwelling, remaining after being forbidden and criminal damage to property.
In June 2011, he was charged with two counts of possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, and in July 2011 with possession of an unregistered 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun. A federal judge later sentenced Hickman to nearly four years in prison for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
In August 2012 Hickman was accused of taking money from the Leesville DARE program. He was charged with felony theft over $1,500 and malfeasance.
Hickman, serving his federal sentence at Marion, Ill, was reinstated by the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal in January, saying he was improperly fired.
The Surpeme Court said Hickman’s felony conviction and sentence make the termination issue moot.