20 THE QUEENS COURIER • APRIL 27, 2017 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM Public honors memory of Glendale fi refi ghter BY EMILY DAVENPORT [email protected]/@QNS Th ere was a great outpouring of emotion and support from people across Queens following last Th ursday’s death of Firefi ghter William Tolley in Ridgewood. “I join with all FDNY members in honoring the memory of our brother who unfortunately lost his life in the line of duty earlier today,” said Jake Lemonda, president of the FDNY Uniformed Offi cers Foundation. “Th is is an extremely dangerous job that our dedicated members put their lives on the line every day to protect the residents of the City of New York. On behalf of the offi cers union, I off er condolences to his family and friends.” To honor Tolley’s memory, the FDNY Foundation has started the Firefi ghter William Tolley’s Children’s Educational Fund, which will support Tolley’s daughter. “Th is is a truly heartbreaking loss for the New York City Fire Department and the Glendale community. Firefi ghter William Tolley, a member of our very own Myrtle Turtles, E286/L135, spent 14 years protecting and saving the lives of our neighbors,” said Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley. “Th e members of his fi rehouse will need our community’s support during this very diffi cult time. My prayers are with his family and the Department.” “Every day, members of the New York City Fire Department protect our neighborhoods and prevent tragedies. Placing one’s life on the line to save others shows a character of tremendous courage and compassion,” said state Senator Michael Gianaris. “My thoughts are with William Tolley’s family and loved ones at this diffi cult time. He was a dedicated fi refi ghter whose service helped keep us all safe. May his memory be eternal.” “We deeply mourn Mr. Tolley’s sudden loss, and salute the courage he displayed and sacrifi ces he made not just today, but every single day throughout his 14 years of service to the people of the City of New York,” said Queens Borough President Melinda Katz. “Our prayers are with his family at this time, especially his wife, his young daughter, his brother and his parents. Our thoughts are also with the rest of his family, friends and the entire FDNY community.” Members of the community have taken to social media to share their condolences with Tolley’s family and honor his memory as a hero. Photo via Twitter/@FDNY Members of the FDNY salute as Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro leads the body of Firefi ghter William Tolley out of Wyckoff Heights Medical Center. Still unclear what caused a fi refi ghter’s fatal fall in Ridgewood BY ROBERT POZARYCKI were also taken to Wyckoff Hospital for [email protected] injuries that were not life-threatening, @robbpoz the FDNY said. Firefi ghters brought the blaze under Th e investigation continues into the control just before 3 p.m.; reportedly, death of Firefi ghter William Tolley, who a burning incense candle triggered the died aft er taking a fall while battling a inferno. two-alarm fi re on April 20. Mayor Bill de Blasio, Fire Commissioner According to the Fire Department, Daniel Nigro, City Council Members Tolley of the Glendale-based Ladder Antonio Reynoso and Elizabeth Crowley Company 135 was among those who and Public Advocate Letitia James responded to the blaze that ignited at rushed to Wyckoff Hospital on Th ursday 2:19 p.m. on April 20 inside a fi ve-story aft ernoon. Th ey off ered condolences to building at the corner of Wyckoff and Tolley’s wife, Marie, and their 8-yearold Putnam avenues. daughter, Bella. Th e family resides in More than 100 fi refi ghters from 25 Bethpage, Long Island. units responded to calls about the blaze. “Everyone is in a state of shock and According to police sources, Tolley grief, and to his family we say that we ascended up a bucket ladder to work on stand with you,” de Blasio said, “not just the fi re from the roof when he fell. now, but for years to come.” Video captured on Twitter showed a Tolley is the 1,147th member of the group of fi refi ghters quickly wheeling a New York City Fire Department to be gurney carrying Tolley, a 14-year FDNY killed in the line of duty. veteran, into a waiting ambulance that On the night of April 20, fi refi ghters was sent to Wyckoff Heights Medical saluted Tolley as his body was transferred Photo by Robert Stridiron Center, where he died a short time later. out of Wyckoff Heights Hospital, with Th ree residents inside the dwelling Commissioner Nigro leading the way. Firefi ghters look up at the roof of the Ridgewood building where a fi refi ghter fell to his death on April 20. tragedy in ridgewood
SC04272017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above