CLEVELAND — Judge Timothy McCormick has sentenced Leander Bissell to life in prison for hitting and killing veteran Cleveland firefighter Johnny Tetrick with his car before driving off. He will be eligible for parole after 16 years.
Emotions ran high in the courtroom Tuesday. The pain almost nine months later still weighs on the hearts of his three daughters and the firefighters that called him brother.
"I thought I was prepared my whole life for this until it happens," said Falon Tetrick. "I thought I was strong until I held my 18 and 20-year-old sisters as we decided what to do with his body."
In November 2022, Engine 22 responded to a crash involving a flipped vehicle on I-90 eastbound at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Witnesses said a car drove through the scene, hit Tetrick, and took off.
Cuyahoga County Judge Timothy McCormick was emotional after Tetrick's daughters gave their final remarks.
"I just hope you can move forward with your life," said McCormick. "Remember the good things; remember the special times you had."
Tetrick's daughters are relieved the trial is officially over, and their healing journey can finally begin.
"I fully believe he (Bissell) had no intention of doing what he did that night," said Eden Tetrick. "I believe that he is very sorry for it. That doesn't mean justice shouldn't be served. I've said it, and I don't hate him; I do forgive him for what he did, and I don't believe he had the intention to do it. But I do hope whatever the rest of his life looks like, it's used for good."
During his sentencing, Bissell also addressed the court. He expressed his deepest condolences to the Tetrick family, Cleveland firefighters, and the community. But, he stated twice that he does not think he's a murderer.
"A hero dad, a family hero, a community hero is gone," said Bissell. "I deeply apologize for my actions. I would never knowingly bring harm or hurt to anyone. I am not a violent person. I am not a murderer. My actions make my soul shake."
Tetrick served the City of Cleveland for over 27 years, mostly with Engine 22 on the city's East Side. He deeply loved his profession and helping others.
"Knowing where our dad is, there's just a different peace that comes with that," said Falon Tetrick. "We don't question where he's at; we don't question that he wouldn't have wanted it to be anybody else."
Tretrick's Station 22 brothers filled the courtroom gallery in commemoration during the sentencing.
"That's what we are trained to do; we are trained to help people," said a Cleveland firefighter. "Johnny was the pinnacle of that."
Bissell was indicted on the following charges last year:
- One count of Murder
- Two counts of Felonious Assault
- One count of Involuntary Manslaughter
- One count of Aggravated Vehicular Homicide
- One count of Failure To Stop After Accident
- One count of Failure to Comply
McCormick found him guilty on all counts.
