OHIO — The Ohio House voted to add an amendment to Senate Bill 185 that will require a minimum of a five-year sentence to someone convicted of vehicular manslaughter when the victim is a firefighter or EMT.

This amendment came after Johnny Tetrick, a Cleveland firefighter, tragically passed away on Nov. 13 while on duty. He was struck by a car. 

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio House voted yes on an amendment to protect firefighters and EMT workers

  • It will require a minimum of a five-year sentencing if someone is convicted of vehicular manslaughter and the victim is a firefighter or EMT worker

  • This is similar to a bill that was passed in 2004 that protects police officers and crime scene workers

  • The amendment is inspired by 27-year veteran firefighter Johnny Tetrick who passed away while on duty and was struck by a car 
​Tom Patton and Bride Rose Sweeney, two Ohio representatives, were the sponsors of this bill. On Thursday, when this was voted on, Patton explained some history behind a similar bill that was passed in 2004, but was only for police officers and crime scene investigators. 

“A police officer or BCI agent was struck and killed by a car in a case that was eventually determined to be vehicular homicide, there would be a mandatory five-year sentence,” he said.

Now, those same laws are being applied to firefighters and EMT workers. Sweeney explained why they wanted to pass this amendment. 

“This was something that unfortunately this tragedy had to happen for us to spur the legislature into action, but was done so expeditiously and in a bipartisan fashion which really shows the magnitude of getting this done and showing firefighters and EMT workers that they deserve the same amount of respect and dignity and acknowledgment of the dangers of their work,” she said.

Patton, a Republican, and Sweeney, a Democrat, worked together to get this amendment passed and Sweeney expressed why it resonated with her.

“I think it hits a little close to home when it’s in your backyard,” she said.

Sweeney explained the goal of the amendment is to protect our front-line workers that are in the line of danger so that they can safely return home each night. Also, there is hope that this amendment brings some justice for Tetrick’s three daughters.

“We are so grateful and indebted to the firemen and fire women, EMT workers who put themselves in danger because we ask them to,” she said. 

The amendment was unanimously passed Thursday.