Columbia fire chief sues firefighters’ group for defamation after 2023 death
Columbia-Richland Fire Chief Aubrey Jenkins has sued a firefighters’ group for defamation, alleging the group publicly blamed him for contributing to the 2023 death of Irmo firefighter James Muller.
Muller died in May 2023 while fighting a large blaze at the Tropical Ridge apartments in the St. Andrews area where the Irmo Fire Department was assisting Columbia’s fire department. He died after being buried under a collapsed structure. Six other firefighters were injured in the collapse but survived.
The official investigation into the Tropical Ridge Apartments fire found it to be an accident started by unattended cooking materials.
After Muller’s death, the Professional Fire Fighters Association of South Carolina led by Roger Odachowski issued a statement raising questions about the investigation into the fire and promising to reveal “the details and the failures of Chief Jenkins and his leadership.”
Now, Jenkins has filed a lawsuit against the firefighters’ group and Odachowski, alleging those 2023 statements were false and misleading, and that they caused him embarrassment and severe distress requiring professional counseling.
He is suing Odachowski for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and the firefighters’ group for failing to prevent Odachowski from publishing “false and misleading” statements.
Jenkins is asking a court for a jury trial and to award damages.
The firefighters’ group in a statement Thursday acknowledged the lawsuit but said it doesn’t believe the claims have merit.
“It is unfortunate that, following a line-of-duty death, firefighters who should be focused on honoring our fallen brother and continuing the healing process are instead being drawn into litigation,” the statement reads. “Asking difficult questions and fighting to improve community and firefighter safety are fundamental responsibilities of our organization.”
The statement adds that the group won’t “litigate this matter in the media.”
In a separate lawsuit, Muller’s wife has sued the city and Richland County for wrongful death, alleging he was instructed to enter the burning building and that his death was caused by inadequate training and miscommunication during the fire. The city has denied the claims and the lawsuit remains ongoing.
