Crime & Safety

Stow Wins Lawsuit Against Former Firefighter

A federal judge issued the ruling on Feb. 4.

A federal court has thrown out a lawsuit filed against the city by a former Stow firefighter who was terminated after being blinded in one eye in a 2008 bottle rocket accident.  

The firefighter, Anthony Rorrer, sued the city for discrimination and argued the firing was unlawful since he was, in his view, protected by the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Stow Sentry reports.

Judge John Adams of the United States District Court, Northern District of Ohio disagreed and dismissed the lawsuit on Feb. 4.

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"We're very pleased with the opinion, obviously," Stow Law Director Brian Reali told the Stow Sentry. "We think Judge Adams nailed this, and we're happy we can put this behind us."

Rorrer worked as a Stow firefighter from 1999 to 2010; and he now works as a firefighter for the Tallmadge Fire Department.

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The Tallmadge Fire Department bars Rorrer from operating emergency vehicles, according to court documents.


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