Home / Crime and Justice / City Liable: $28.5M Award for Firefighter's Death
City Liable: $28.5M Award for Firefighter's Death
1 Sep
Summary
- Rock Falls city found liable for firefighter's death during a 2021 house fire.
- A jury's $31.5 million award was reduced to $28.5 million by a judge.
- The firefighter died after falling into an undetected basement while battling flames.
A Whiteside County judge affirmed a jury's decision holding the city of Rock Falls liable for the death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos. The initial $31.5 million award has been reduced to $28.5 million, pending acceptance by Ramos's widow. The ruling dismisses all legal challenges presented by the city and former fire chiefs.
Lieutenant Ramos, 38, died on December 3, 2021, while responding to a house fire in Rock Falls. He fell into an undetected basement and issued mayday calls, but incident commanders failed to locate him. His death occurred approximately 30 minutes after his fall, with investigators attributing his death to asphyxiation.
The jury found former Fire Chiefs Cris Bouwens and Ken Wolf each 50% responsible, citing failures in verifying basement presence, appointing a safety officer, timely withdrawal of interior firefighters, and responding to mayday calls. The judge rejected claims of "loaned employee" status and discretionary immunity, finding these defenses were forfeited by the defendants.
Brittney Ramos, the widow, has 30 days from Monday's ruling to decide whether to accept the $3 million reduction. If she accepts, the judgment will be finalized. If she rejects it, a new trial will be held solely to determine damages. A status hearing is scheduled for October 2 in Whiteside County Circuit Court.
