Most on Pater Avenue not saying much after second arrest in fatal fire

Jan. 07--HAMILTON -- A day after the announcement that Hamilton police have arrested a second person in the fatal arson fire that claimed the life of a city firefighter more than a year ago, few Pater Avenue residents wanted to comment on the arrest.

Most residents who did open their doors on Saturday morning simply said, "no comment" or said they had heard about the arrest but had nothing more to say about it.

One Pater Avenue resident, John Kilby, said authorities should "throw the book at him and make him do the full term (in prison) with no parole."

Kilby, a former volunteer firefighter in Tennessee, said he understands what firefighters go through when fighting a fire."

"He took him (Wolterman) from his family," Kilby said. "It's not right."

Kilby added that if the suspects are convicted, there should be a photo of the firefighter in their cell and made to look at it everyday to see what they took.

On Friday, Hamilton police detectives with assistance of Kentucky State Police, arrested William "Billy" Tucker, 49, in Richmond, Ky., on an indictment from a Butler County grand jury for aggravated arson and murder for allegedly starting the fire that killed Firefighter Patrick Wolterman in December 2015.

Wolterman fell through the first floor of Lester Parker's 1310 Pater Ave. home while fighting a fire that was later ruled an arson. Wolterman died from injuries he sustained battling the Dec. 28, 2015, blaze.

Tucker remains in custody in Kentucky pending an extradition hearing next week to return him to Ohio to face charges. Tucker, is Parker's nephew. Last month, Parker, 66, was indicted on the same crimes. Parker is being held in the Warren County Jail on a $500,000 bond.

Butler County Prosecutor Michael Gmoser said the grand jury heard evidence this week in the case against Tucker and returned the indictments. Gmoser said the work of Hamilton detectives was "exemplary" in getting the evidence needed for an indictment.

The murder charge carries a prison term of 15 years to life and a $15,000 fine. The aggravated arson charge carries a maximum prison term of 11 years and a $20,000 fine, according to the prosecutor's office.

Parker and his wife, Bertha, submitted insurance claims for the burned home to Cincinnati Insurance Company of Fairfield, but declined to cooperate with the process when the company notified the couple that it was "exercising its right under the policy to conduct an examination under oath," according to court documents obtained by the Journal-News.

In July, Butler County Common Pleas Judge Jennifer McElfresh signed a judgment in favor of Cincinnati Insurance Company, relieving it from paying out any coverage or indemnity to the Parkers for the house at 1310 Pater Ave.

"The City family is grateful that Hamilton Police Department has been so diligent and focused in the investigation," said Mayor Pat Moeller via email. "Those arrested will face the justice system and be sentenced appropriately. The Wolterman family and firefighter family can continue to heal as much as they are able through this tragedy."

City Manager Joshua Smith echoed Moeller's sentiments concerning the arrest of Tucker.

"Chief (Craig) Bucheit and the entire Hamilton Police Department worked diligently for a full year to ensure those responsible for this unconscionable act were held accountable. The time, effort and results in their detective work should be commended," Smith said via email. "I pray these arrests provide a small amount of closure for the Wolterman family, his co-workers and Hamilton residents."

This story contains previous reporting by Staff Writer Lauren Pack.

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