PORTLAND – Two police officers who were fired for failing to summon medical help for a homeless man who appeared to be passed out in a park and was found dead hours later will get their jobs back.

Acting City Manager Joseph Gray Jr. said Thursday he decided to overturn Chief Michael Chitwood’s dismissals of Officers John Morin and John Virginio.

Morin and Virginio found David Town, 46, who apparently had passed out in the rose garden at Deering Oaks Park on Oct. 20. The officers moved Town from the garden at the request of a city parks employee, but did not call emergency medical workers. Town was found dead five hours later.

Friends of Town said he suffered from severe seizures and that such an episode may have been responsible for his death. Police said Town died from the effects of years of alcohol abuse. In firing the officers, Chitwood said their failure to call an ambulance for Town was a violation of police procedures.

Virginio, an officer for 18 years, and Morin, a 13-year veteran, appealed their discharge. City Manager Robert Ganley heard the appeal but suffered a fatal heart attack in December before reaching a decision.

Gray’s decision to overrule Chitwood followed a meeting in which a lawyer for the officers relayed new information from witnesses who said they saw Town get up and light a cigarette after the officers had left the area.