The city of Rock Falls is challenging a $31.5 million judgment that held the city and two fire officials liable for the 2021 death of Sterling fire lieutenant Garrett Ramos. The appeal was filed Monday in Whiteside County Circuit Court by attorney Joseph Culig on behalf of Rock Falls, its former fire chief Cris Bouwens, and current chief Ken Wolf.
They are requesting the court overturn a jury verdict delivered in November, which awarded compensation to Ramos’s widow Brittney and their two daughters, citing the fire officials’ actions as a contributing factor to the tragedy. The court’s response to the appeal is pending.