Hundreds Expected At Funeral For Lansing Firefighter 'Deliberately' Run Down By Driver

EAST LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Hundreds of mourners are expected at a funeral for a Lansing firefighter who authorities say was deliberately struck by a pickup truck as he collected money for charity.

The service for 35-year-old Dennis Rodeman is taking place Wednesday at Michigan State University's Breslin Center in East Lansing. The service is set to begin at 10 a.m., with doors opening an hour prior.

Rodeman was hit last week while participating in an annual Fill the Boot fundraising campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and the International Association of Fire Fighters. Rodeman, whose wife was pregnant with their first child, later died at a hospital.

The seven-year veteran of the Lansing Fire Department also served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

"He served his country with great pride, bravery and ability, having survived a tour of duty in Fallujah, Iraq, one of the most dangerous places in the world," reads a message appearing on a gofundme page, collecting money to help support Rodeman's family. "It is beyond comprehension that this American hero lost his life on the streets of Lansing while collecting charitable contributions for children afflicted by muscular dystrophy."

Gov. Rick Snyder has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags to be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday at the Capitol and all state buildings in Rodeman's honor.

A 22-year-old Lansing man, Grant Taylor, is charged with murder, failing to stop at the scene of an accident causing death and fleeing police in the case.

Taylor told officers during an interview that he expressed his anger with firefighters holding up traffic and that their response to his frustrations didn't satisfy him. He said he drove away, then turned around and hit Dennis Rodeman — a firefighter involved in the conversation.

During testimony that led to charges against Taylor, Lansing Detective Lee McCallister said firefighters told Taylor what they were doing and said they would appreciate any donations. Taylor told McCallister he became angrier when firefighters mocked him, according to the testimony.

"At no time during his conversation did (Taylor) express any remorse," McCallister said. "Nor did he ask the condition of the victim."

Taylor remains jailed without bond ahead of a Sept. 23 preliminary exam.

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