Columbus Fire Chief Jeffrey Happ wrote in a letter to city officials that he is retiring after three decades with the city's fire department.
Happ was set to face a disciplinary hearing on Tuesday, which was called off because of the letter. Happ's letter to Columbus Dept. of Public Safety Director Kate McSweeney-Pischotti was only two sentences long, saying his last day will be on Friday, Jan. 16.
Happ faced disciplinary action for his handling of a deadly 2023 crash, where a fire engine collided with a pickup truck, killing its driver. A letter signed by Columbus Dept. of Public Safety Director Kate Pishotti addressed to Happ on Tuesday said an independent investigation into the incident demonstrates "significant misfeasance and nonfeasance in the performance of your duties as Fire Chief," and that Happ violated the city of Columbus' Central Work Rule and Fire Division conduct rules.
The fire engine was was trying to cross the median in an emergency turnaround on I-270, near Hamilton Road in Gahanna, when it hit another vehicle.
A pickup truck driven by Timothy Wiggins, 63, then hit the back of the fire truck as it stuck out into the left lane. Wiggins died at the scene.
Happ took no disciplinary action against the engine's driver and changed no policy. The firefighter involved in the crash, Tyler Connors, was eventually charged with aggravated vehicular homicide.
Conners subsequently pleaded no contest in April 2024 with the judge suspending a 90-day jail sentence. Conners was given two years of probation, 180 hours of community service, a $500 fine and his license was suspended for two years.
Department of Public Safety spokesman Glenn McEntyre said in a statement four assistant chiefs at the department will serve as acting chief in a six-week rotation as the city seeks to hire a new fire chief.
McEntyre also said the department continues to evaluate potential discipline for others at the department and will implement policy changes that are ordered by the director.
