North Royalton holds procession for firefighter killed in Broadview Heights house fire

A procession moved through North Royalton on Wednesday morning to honor Firefighter Ryan Milligan. He was killed in the line of duty earlier this week. The cortege traveled from the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office to a local funeral home. Multiple fire departments gathered outside the medical examiner’s office to pay their respects during the movement.

Milligan, 36, was a resident of Seven Hills. He died on Monday evening while battling a house fire. The blaze was located in the 2100 block of West Royalton Road in Broadview Heights. A second firefighter, Andrew Protsman, 38, suffered serious injuries in the same incident. Protsman is a resident of Parma. He remains hospitalized but is expected to recover.

Milligan served with the North Royalton Fire Department since 2016. He is a 2009 graduate of Normandy High School. The Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department stated that Milligan tragically passed away yesterday. The department said its thoughts and prayers are with the entire North Royalton Fire Department and the community during this difficult time.

City officials asked residents to keep the firefighters and their families in their hearts and prayers while respecting their privacy. Marnecheck said, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the fallen firefighter and his family, as well as our injured firefighter and his family. I ask our community to join me in keeping our firefighters and their families in your hearts and prayers, while respecting their privacy.”

The body of the fallen firefighter was transported from MetroHealth Medical Center to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s office on Tuesday afternoon. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The flag is flying at half staff in front of the fire department on Royalton Road in memory of Milligan.

Condolences have arrived from numerous area fire departments and civic groups. The Warrensville Heights Local 1591 posted that they are praying for all affected by the tragedy. Cleveland firefighters shared a scripture from John 15:13, stating, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

The Streetsboro Fire Department expressed deep sadness at the loss of a brother firefighter. They noted that he was killed while at a mutual aid house fire. The department also wished for a speedy recovery for the colleague who sustained serious injuries in the same incident.

The Euclid Fire Department said they are here for the North Royalton community after the tragic incident. Broadview Heights police officers extended their deepest condolences to the fallen firefighter’s family and friends. They also sent thoughts and prayers to the injured firefighter and other first responders who were helping keep the community safe.

The Parma City School District joined the community in mourning. The district noted that Milligan dedicated his life to serving others through his work with the Seven Hills and North Royalton fire departments. The Cuyahoga Falls Fire Department stated that they stand with the North Royalton department as they mourn the loss of one of their own.

The South Amherst Fire Department said their hearts go out to the brothers and sisters in North Royalton. They noted that one firefighter will never return home and the second one is in critical condition. The Ohio Fire Chiefs’ Association confirmed that the LODD Team/LAST has been activated and is assisting the department. The University Heights Fire Department said the loss is felt throughout the entire fire service. The Avon Lake Fire Department described the fire service as a brotherhood built on courage and sacrifice. They said, “Rest easy brother, we’ll take it from here.”