Lansing firefighter dies after hit-and-run while collecting donations
Originally published Sept. 9, 2015
LANSING — Ingham County Prosecutor Stuart Dunnings III has authorized a charge of open murder and three other charges against a Lansing man accused of deliberately driving his truck into a firefighter who was collecting money for charity at a busy intersection.
The defendant will be arraigned soon in 54-A District Court. Dunnings said in a statement that his name would be made public at the proceeding. In addition to the murder count, the man is charged with failing to stop at the scene of a personal injury accident causing death and two counts of fleeing and eluding (third degree).
Live: Arraignment of suspect in firefighter death
Lansing firefighter Dennis Rodeman, who survived a tour of duty in Iraq with the U.S. Marine Corps, died on Wednesday evening at Sparrow Hospital.
Dunnings commended Lansing police for their rapid investigation, and also members of the public who assisted."As always, first responders rely on an active and engaged citizenry, and Lansing stepped up to the plate in the investigation of this tragic loss,” the prosecutor said.
Go Fund Me site for fallen firefighter investigated
Rodeman, 35, was a seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department. He was married two months ago and expecting his first child. When the incident happened at about 3:40 p.m., he was collecting money on Lansing's southside for muscular dystrophy research near the intersection of Cedar Street and Jolly Road, police and city officials said.
The suspect drove away from the scene and was caught near the intersection of Holmes and Waverly roads after a car and foot chase, police said. Lansing police originally said the man was 32.
Police said there was a verbal exchange between the suspect and Rodeman moments before the incident.
"The suspect came by, was upset for whatever reason (and) circled back around" before running into the firefighter, Lansing police Capt. Jim Kraus said. "The preliminary investigation is that he deliberately hit the firefighter who was standing in the road, collecting for the charity."
The suspect, who was driving a small pickup truck, continued north on Cedar Street and eventually was stopped in the 3100 block of Lawdor Road. He ran from the vehicle and was caught by officers.
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced Rodeman's death in a statement shortly before 8 p.m. Wednesday. Bernero called the incident "a senseless, unthinkable tragedy."
"We join the men and women of Lansing Fire and all citizens of Lansing in expressing our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues for this heartbreaking loss," he said.
Rodeman was among several firefighters at the intersection taking part in the Fill the Boot fundraising campaign by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters. He was dressed in turnout gear and a reflective vest, Kraus said. He was standing in the center turn lane when he was hit, Kraus said.
Tionna Davis said she was driving south on Cedar Street when a northbound vehicle swerved from the right lane into the left lane and hit the firefighter. One of the boots the firefighter was wearing hit her car, she said.
"He literally tried to hit him," she said, referring to the suspect.
Traffic was moving very slowly at the time, Davis said. Two other drivers chased after the vehicle that struck the firefighter and managed to get the license plate number, she said.
Rodeman was a veteran of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion of the 24th Marine Regiment, U.S. Marine Corps, Bernero's office said.
"He served his country with great pride, bravery and ability, having survived a tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq, one of the most dangerous places in the world," Bernero said. "It is beyond comprehension that this American hero lost his life on the streets of Lansing while collecting charitable contributions for children afflicted by muscular dystrophy.
Lansing Fire Chief Randy Talifarro said Rodeman was "very well thought of" and "a highly regarded individual." The firefighter was married two months ago and was expecting his first child, he said. The department will do all it can to support his family, he said.
"He was just a joy to work around," Talifarro said.
Lansing firefighters were scheduled to collect donations through Friday at the intersection of Cedar and Jolly, according to the website for the Lansing firefighter's union. It was unclear Wednesday evening whether the collection effort will continue as scheduled, a fire department spokesman said.
In a written statement Wednesday night, the MDA said firefighters participating in the boot drive were wearing helmets and reflective safety vests and that safety cones and Fill the Boot signage were in place.
The Lansing Fire Department has been participating in Fill the Boot drives since the 1970s and has raised millions locally for MDA, the group said. The donations help support research and specialized services for children and adults with muscular dystrophy, ALS and other muscle-debilitating diseases.
Wednesday's incident is the only fatality in the history of the 61-year program, MDA said.
Kraus said he can't recall anybody being struck by a car in Lansing while doing charity work.
Bernero said flags will be flown at half-mast at all city facilities on Thursday. City officials are working with the International Association of Firefighters to create a fund for Rodeman's wife, he said.
Lansing police Chief Michael Yankowski said the suspect was being held on suspicion of murder and felony fleeing and eluding. The Ingham County Prosecutor's Office will determine what, if any, charges he will face, he said.
The investigation remains open, and anyone who was in the area around the time of the incident and saw anything pertinent is asked to call Detective Lee McCallister at 483-4611, he said.
More:Read ongoing coverage of the Dennis Rodeman case.
Contact Ken Palmer at (517) 377-1032 or kpalmer@lsj.com. Follow him on Twitter @KBPalm_lsj
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