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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Jeff Happ is resigning from his role as Columbus fire chief, effective Jan. 16, according to the City of Columbus.
This follows disciplinary charges being filed against him last month following a deadly crash involving a fire engine in July 2023.
The city’s director of public safety, Kate McSweeney-Pishotti, said in a Dec. 9, 2025, letter that Happ was charged with violating the city’s “Central Work Rule and the Rules of Conduct of the Division of Fire…”
“The conduct described in the independent investigation conducted by David DeVillers of the Barnes and Thornburg law firm demonstrates significant misfeasance and nonfeasance in the performance of your duties as the Fire Chief,” the letter reads.
The deadly crash occurred when a firefighter, Tyler Connors, made a U-turn in an emergency cut-out on I-270. Two vehicles hit the fire engine, and one person died.
The firefighter who was driving was sentenced to probation for vehicular manslaughter. In the letter, it states that Happ issued no discipline to Connors, that he called what happened “an unfortunate situation which has been resolved in the court system.”
You can view the full letter, including the specifics of the charges, here:
“The department continues to review the findings of the investigation to evaluate potential discipline for others independently found to have violated policies in this case,” said Glenn McEntyre, assistant director of the Department of Public Safety via email Tuesday. “Policy changes ordered by the Director of Public Safety are in the process of being implemented. These changes will strengthen training, supervision and accountability at the division of fire, with the hope of preventing something like this from ever happening again.”
He said various assistant chiefs will serve as acting chief during six-week rotations while the city seeks a replacement.
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Spectrum News Staff, Cody Thompson
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