Lansing Firefighter Dennis Rodeman died after being hit by a vehicle on Wednesday, September 9.
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Rodeman was laid to rest at West Carmel Cemetery near Charlotte.
First responders from throughout Michigan and other parts of the country joined other mourners to remember a firefighter who authorities say was deliberately struck by a pickup truck as he collected money for charity. Taylor is charged with open murder, failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing death and fleeing police.
Court records show the suspect, Grant Taylor, may have been angry over traffic delays.
During the memorial service, several speakers talked about Rodeman’s dedication to the job, his kind and upbeat nature and his love of pranks.
“Dennis was a good firefighter, and in this business that’s the best compliment you can give someone”, worldwide Association of Fire Fighters Local 421 President Chris Lake said. Rodeman is also an Iraq War veteran who leaves behind a wife who is expecting their first child.
Jeff Wetzel, assistant chief of the Vermontville Fire Department, where Rodman worked before coming to Lansing, spoke of Rodeman’s sense of humor – he once joked Wetzel had a voice for radio because his face was too ugly, Wetzel said to laughs from the crowd.
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After speeches were concluded, there was a bell-ringing ceremony, a tradition when a firefighter falls in the line of duty.
