Show of support
Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 2, 2025
Firefighters show up at court to support one who was attacked
On Wednesday morning, firefighters from several volunteer fire departments and some EMTs met up on the steps of the Lawrence County Courthouse as a show of support for one of their fellow first responder who was attacked while he was working the scene of fire in Kitts Hill in December.
On Dec. 7, 2024, Lawrence Township volunteer firefighter Don Mannon was attacked by a father, mother and son while he was bringing up a house to put out the-r house fire.
Arnold Berry, his wife, Tina Berry, and their son, Chauncey, have all been indicted on charges of fourth-degree felony assault and first-degree misconduct at an emergency.
Arnold Berry was supposed to have a pre-trial hearing in the Common Pleas Court of Judge
Christin Finley but the case was rescheduled to next week. Tina Berry and Chauncey have warrants for their arrest.
“They didn’t like that they weren’t able to move a vehicle away from the house while the fire was being put out,” explained Lawrence County Prosecutor Brigham Anderson. “They punched him and kicked him, knocked him to the ground as he was rolling hose up to the fire.”
Hamilton Volunteer Fire Department Chief Kim Duty said the firefighters and EMTs showed up because they are tired of the violence on them, which happens sporadically but still too often.
“We don’t like to put ourselves out like this. We are not looking for glory,” she said. “But this is important to send a message. It can make all the difference if someone gets to go home safely to their family. That is our main goal — everyone goes home.”
“People have to realize that we are there to help and violence against us will no longer be tolerated,” she continued.
She said there are a number of reasons that they get attacked, including they think the firefighters are going to get them in trouble for the things in their house they don’t want seen.
“There is a whole host of reasons you could come up with,” Dutey said. “The funny thing is that, on any fire, there is law enforcement on scene, because they come to help watch out for us, to patrol, to coordinate the scene. So, if we get attacked, they are already on the scene.”
Anderson said, he too, had a message for those who attack first responders.
“You can’t act that way in an emergency situation, who have to let them do their jobs,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you like how they are doing it or not, you can’t assault them.”