http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2017/03/17/remembering-bronx-emt-yadira-arroyo/
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — The FDNY is mourning the death of a veteran emergency medical technician who police say was struck and killed by her own ambulance that had just been stolen in the Bronx.
Marching in the St. Patrick’s Day parade Friday, members of the FDNY honored EMT Yadira Arroyo, carrying a banner displaying her picture and name with the words “Rest in Peace.”
The 44-year-old mother of five served the FDNY for 14 years.
“She was a good EMT. I went to work with her and I got inspired when she took me to work and I saw what she really had to do and how she was taking care of people,” said Arroyo’s brother, Joel Rosado, who recently became an EMT.
Arroyo and her partner were responding to an emergency call Thursday night in the Soundview section when police said their ambulance was overtaken by 25-year-old Jose Gonzalez.
FDNY paying tribute to EMT Yadira Arroyo…killed last night in line of duty. #1010WINS #StPatricksDay
Parade.
FDNY
mourns the loss of FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo, Station 26, who was killed in the line of duty tonight while serving our city.Overnight, her fellow members of the FDNY saluted as Arroyo’s body was removed from Jacobi Medical Center, where hours before they rushed to be with her.
Her brother said he got a call moments after his sister was killed, 1010 WINS’ Glenn Schuck reported.
“I lost it and I just went straight to the hospital, the fire department picked me up,” he said. “Nobody’s doing well. Everybody’s devastated. Everybody doesn’t believe it still. I don’t believe it.”
FDNY Commissioner Daniel Nigro called it “a sad night for everybody in the department.”
“Our fire department is certainly no stranger to tragedy,” he said. “That being said, no matter how many times we do this, it does not make it any easier.”
Also at the hospital was Arroyo’s partner. She was injured in an attempt to fight off the suspect.
Arroyo is the eighth member of the FDNY EMS to die in the line of duty and the third woman.
“We know our EMTs are brave. They do crucial work, they save lives. But they should not ever have to be subjected to violence,” Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday night. “And yet, that danger always exists for them.”
Arroyo was from Fordham and had a big family. The mayor said they gathered at her hospital bed Thursday in “unspeakable” grief.
“She started her day, her shift today like every other day and then a senseless act of violence takes her life,” de Blasio said. “It’s a tough moment for all, but it’s a moment where we honor those who serve us and protect us.”
Rosado said their parents are coming up from Florida. He also said his sister was engaged to an EMT and that one of her sons is currently in training to be an EMT.
“A loving mother, she’s very caring. She was an amazing person,” he said. “Everybody knows that. Everybody who knows her known that.”
On Twitter late Thursday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called her death a “tragedy.”
EMTs are heroes who help countless New Yorkers every day. Tonight’s tragedy in the Bronx is horrible.
My deepest sympathies to the family.“EMTs are heroes who help countless New Yorkers every day,” he said. “My deepest sympathies to the family.”
Police said Gonzalez has been arrested on murder and other charges.
“He took my sister,” Rosado said about the suspect. “I just hope I don’t see him.”
Gonzalez is due in court later Friday.
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