A Whiteside County jury is preparing to deliberate on whether alleged missteps by two Rock Falls fire officials contributed to the death of Sterling Fire Lt. Garrett Ramos in December 2021. Ramos died after falling through a burning floor into a basement while battling a residential blaze.
His widow’s lawsuit claims Rock Falls Fire Chief Cris Bouwens and Accountability Officer Ken Wolf acted with “willful and wanton disregard,” while the defense maintains Ramos played a part in his own tragedy. The trial has featured detailed testimony from firefighters and experts, focusing on command decisions, adherence to safety protocols, and communication breakdowns at the scene.