PORTLAND – Two Portland police officers have appealed their dismissals for failing to help a homeless man who died hours after they spotted him passed out in Deering Oaks Park.

City Manager Robert Ganley confirmed Tuesday that Officers John A. Virginio and John N. Morin were fired. Ganley said the two have filed an appeal, and he plans to hear it next week.

Virginio and Morin spotted David Town, a 56-year-old homeless man, asleep in the park Oct. 20. They did not call for medical help, and Town was found dead five hours later.

Police conducted an internal investigation to determine whether the officers violated department procedures.