Retired Chief Arrested For Failing To Move Vehicle At Accident Scene

Posted by: Curt Varone November 2, 2017 4 Comments

A retired battalion chief who stopped to render aid to an accident victim and ended up saving her life, was arrested at the scene because he refused to move his vehicle when ordered to do so by a Sergeant from the Georgia State Patrol.

Emory Leroy Rickerson, who retired as a battalion chief from the Griffin Fire Department, was on Georgia Route 109 when he came upon a vehicle accident. Rickerson realized the victim was not breathing and began administering CPR.

When the State Patrol arrived on scene Sergeant R.S. Jeter ordered Rickerson to move his vehicle. Rickerson refused saying “I don’t care who you are. You can take me to jail, but I’m not moving my vehicle or leaving this patient right now.” Jeter arrested Rickerson for obstructing an officer. The victim survived but has significant injuries.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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