In relation to the death of an Ohio firefighter who was working at the scene of an earlier collision last October when he was struck and killed on an interstate, a man has been given a sentence of 16 years to life in prison.
Leander Bissell, 41, was found guilty last month of killing Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick on November 19 as well as additional charges including aggravated vehicular homicide, felonious assault, and more. He was given a life sentence by a judge in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, and he won’t even be eligible for parole for another 16 years.
Tetrick, 51, a father of three with 27 years of service to the department, was hit while removing debris from the site of a rollover accident on I-90 in Bratenahl. According to the prosecution, Bissell’s car accelerated after leaving the road’s shoulder, struck the firefighter, and then took off. After hours, Bissell was reportedly caught with the car and taken into custody.
During the victim’s family’s apology on Tuesday during the sentencing hearing, Bissell occasionally found his voice shaking. Defense lawyers had contended that he was driving carelessly rather than recklessly and had no malicious intent. However, he stated that Tetrick’s three girls “deserve justice.”
“A family hero, a community hero, is gone,” said Bissell. My acts tremble my soul.
The victim’s daughters stated that they wished to extend forgiveness to Bissell because their father would have done the same.
18-year-old Eden Tetrick said to Bissell, “I don’t hate you. “I believe that would be much simpler.” In place of that, she responded, “I hope I meet you one day in heaven as a brother in Christ.”
The victim’s oldest daughter, Falon Tetrick, gave appreciation to the firefighters at his station for their assistance. She claimed that even though she and her sisters’ time with their father was brief, “we had him for long enough.”
When he sent us off for school, he would inquire as to who would arrive first. God. And who follows, he would ask? Others. and who follows? Yourself. Therefore, I believe that speaks to every facet of his life and the love he had for both those men back there and us.