Fire Law Blog Fire Service and Public Safety Legal Issues Blog by Curt Varone
A Tennessee firefighter is facing criminal charges that he used emergency lights and flashed his badge during a road rage incident several weeks ago. Henry Riegger, 22, has been charged by the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office with criminal impersonation, reckless driving, and violation of emergency light law.
The incident occurred on December 22, 2024, and left another driver, Lauren Mellichamp, “terrified.” Riegger apparently had a connection to two separate fire departments, the Parrottsville Volunteer Fire Department and the Centerview Volunteer Fire Department. However, neither indicated that he was authorized by them to use the emergency lights at the time of the incident.
Law enforcement is investigating reports that this was not the only time Riegger used his emergency lights inappropriately.
