Ohio — Flags are flying at half-staff in honor of a first responder killed in the line of duty Saturday morning.
According to News Center 7, Town and County Fire District Lieutenant Paul Charles Mickolick, 43, was struck and killed while assisting a driver who became stuck in a ditch on Saturday morning.
On Saturday afternoon, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine ordered that the US and Ohio flags be lowered in honor of Mickolick.
Flags at all public buildings and grounds in Wayne County, including the Ohio Statehouse, the Vern Riffe Center, and the Rhodes State Office Towner, were lowered to half-staff yesterday.
They will be lowered until sunset on the day of Mickolick’s funeral.
According to a Governor’s office release, all other public buildings and grounds in the state may fly their flags at half-staff for the same period of time.
Mickolick was assisting a pick-up truck driver who had become stuck in a ditch when he and the driver were struck by a Cadillac that had driven off the right side of the road and into the ditch.
Mickolick and the pick-up truck driver were both taken to the hospital, but Mickolick later died as a result of his injuries, according to News Center 7.
A medical helicopter transported the pick-up truck driver to Akron General Hospital with serious injuries.
Details about upcoming memorial services, department honors, and how the public can help Mickolick’s family will be announced in the coming days.
