Columbus Firefighter Terminated After Second OVI Arrest in Under a Year
A Columbus firefighter has been terminated following a recent arrest for operating a vehicle under the influence (OVI), marking the second such incident within a year. The dismissal raises questions about accountability and standards within the Columbus Division of Fire.
Anthony Langhorne Jr., identified by the Columbus Fire Fighters Union as a city firefighter, was pulled over on March 8 in the vicinity of South Hamilton and Etna roads. This incident occurred after a previous OVI arrest on January 20, 2024, on South Weyant Avenue.
According to a report from the Whitehall Division of Police, officers initiated the traffic stop due to observed signs of impaired driving. During the encounter, Langhorne informed the officer that he had a firearm in his vehicle’s center console, which was subsequently secured by law enforcement.
A field sobriety test reportedly indicated that Langhorne had consumed alcohol prior to driving. He also declined to submit to a breathalyzer test, police stated. As a result, he was charged with OVI, refusal to submit to a chemical test with a prior conviction within 20 years, a marked lanes violation, and felony improper handling of a firearm. The firearm charge stems from possessing a loaded weapon in a vehicle while under the influence.
“We expect our personnel to uphold the values and standards of the Division of Fire. Unfortunately, Firefighter Langhorne’s actions did not meet those standards,” a statement from the Columbus Division of Fire explained.
Langhorne was found guilty of OVI on September 26, 2024, and was ordered to pay a $300 fine. His driver’s license was suspended from January 20, 2024, to January 18, 2025.
This case is not isolated. Earlier this year, another Columbus firefighter, Saxon Angell-Perez, was also terminated after pleading guilty to an OVI charge. This second incident has prompted scrutiny regarding the hiring processes of the Division of Fire and whether adequate background checks are being conducted.
The repeated offenses and subsequent terminations underscore the critical need for stringent adherence to safety regulations and ethical conduct within the Columbus Division of Fire, ensuring the public trust and the well-being of both firefighters and the community they serve.
