Up to four years given in death of firefighter

Erica D. Johnson

Friday, Feb. 13, 2004 | 10:05 a.m.

In a packed courtroom Thursday dozens of family members, co-workers and friends of a Clark County firefighter who died after a bar fight remembered him as a hero to his family and the community.

Holding poster-sized photos and wearing buttons with his picture on it, family members of 36-year-old Darron Van Dyke took the witness stand and shared fond memories of the veteran firefighter who was skilled in emergency medicine, search and rescue and the removal of hazardous materials.

"Darron was my mentor, my protector, my rock," said Van Dyke's sister, Nichole Bombardier, fighting back tears. "He was larger than life. He inspired so many people."

Richard Wiseman, Van Dyke's uncle who is also a Clark County firefighter, said in addition to Van Dyke's 12 years of training and expertise as a firefighter, he had a big heart and a gentle nature.

The emotional testimony came during a sentencing hearing for Richard Jero, the man authorities say got into a fight with Van Dyke on Oct. 27 at the Hurricane Bar and Grill, on South Bermuda Road. Van Dyke died from his injuries days later.

District Judge John McGroarty sentenced Jero, 30, to 16 months to four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to a single count of involuntary manslaughter. The sentence was the maximum allowed.

Before the sentence was handed down, Jero addressed Van Dyke's family members.

"Whether you believe me or not, I'm truly sorry for what happened," he said. "I'd give anything in the world to take back what happened."

Jero, who initially faced murder charges, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after negotiating a deal with prosecutors, a move that was criticized by Van Dyke's family members.

Van Dyke's mother, Sharon Turnbaugh, said she didn't believe the charges should have been reduced. She said her son's death has affected the entire family, including Van Dyke's 7-year-old son, Brandt.

"I'm angry and I'm sad," she said. "But I'm happy that (Jero) got the maximum sentence. I'm hoping maybe he will have time to reflect on his life. But there will never be closure for me."

Jero's defense attorney, Peter Christiansen Sr., said the deal was fair. He said he believed he could have won the case, but he took the deal because Jero did not want to put his family or Van Dyke's family through a trial.

"The DA's office doesn't just out of the goodness of their heart reduce charges," he said. "This was a defendable case."

Authorities say Jero, who has training in professional boxing, punched Van Dyke after the two exchanged words at the bar. But there are still unanswered questions about what led up to the brawl.

During Thursday's hearing, Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Bowman denied that Van Dyke instigated the fight.

Bowman added that an official from the Wisconsin Professional Boxing Association wrote a letter to the court on Jero's behalf, which stated that Jero was "quite confident with his fists."

But Christiansen said Jero hit Van Dyke after Van Dyke left his bar stool and approached Jero in a threatening manner. He said Jero's friend came between the men in an attempt to stop Van Dyke, but Van Dyke pushed him out of the way and continued toward Jero.

When Van Dyke was struck, his head hit the floor and the impact caused the injuries, said Christiansen said.