AURORA, Colo. — An Aurora fire lieutenant will remain demoted after officials said he and another firefighter ran an Aurora police sergeant off the road with a fire truck in 2025.
The firefighters described the incident as a “prank,” but the sergeant said he believed it was an attempt on his life, CBS Colorado reported.
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The Aurora Civil Service Commission upheld Lt. John Casessa’s demotion in May, finding that he acted in an “undisciplined, unprofessional and immature manner” during the Feb. 25, 2025, incident.
The commission reversed the demotion of Engineer Ryan Endly, who was driving the fire truck, and reduced his discipline to a 72-hour unpaid suspension.
The confrontation happened on a two-lane road near the southeast city shops. Video obtained by CBS Colorado shows the fire truck’s spotlights aimed at Sgt. Tony Spano’s windshield as the engine drifted toward the center line. Spano said he had to swerve to avoid a collision.
“Someone tried to kill me,” Spano said. “Why would you want to use a fire truck to kill a cop?”
Casessa appealed his demotion alongside Endly, arguing the incident was harmless horseplay. The commission disagreed.
Commissioners faulted Casessa for encouraging the behavior and failing to intervene.
Prosecutors declined to charge either firefighter, calling the conduct “childish and foolish” but not provable beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBS Colorado had previously reported that both firefighers were demoted to rank of “firefighter/medic.”
