Legal news for New York Firefighter-related death attorneys—Yonkers Firefighters gather at funeral for Patrick Joyce in the Bronx whose death was caused by an act of arson.
North Riverdale, NY (NewYorkInjuryNews.com) – A funeral service was held Tuesday, October 6, 2009, for the beloved Yonkers firefighter, Patrick Joyce Jr., who went into a burning house to search for survivors and was fatally injured, according to WPIX.
39-year-old Patrick Joyce Jr. was on active duty for 16-years with the Yonkers Fire Department. His funeral was scheduled to take place at St. Margaret of Cortona Roman Catholic Church in the Bronx. The funeral procession closed a portion of Riverdale Avenue and Valentine Lane up to the Church. Close to 450 members of the Yonkers Fire Department mourned the loss of Joyce, along with an estimated 5000 to 10,000 of others who came to show support for the young firefighter.
Firefighters from the other Westchester fire departments held down the fort at Yonkers fire houses so that Yonkers firefighters could attend the Tuesday funeral.
Police discovered that the fire that took Joyce’s life was set intentionally.
Police arrested the evicted former tenant, Rafael Roldan, who has been accused of murder, arson, and burglary and was arraigned in court on Monday. Nearly 100 firefighters in show of respect for their fraternal fireman were in attendance in the courtroom.
“They are here to show support for the Joyce family and to support the police department, who made this arrest,” Yonkers Fire Commissioner Anthony Pagano said during a press conference.
The 3-alarm blaze that destroyed the house at 149 Waverly Place also injured 2 more Yonkers firefighters noted as 54-year-old Lieutenant Joseph Murray and 38-year-old firefighter William Kanych. Both are being cared for by doctors and nurses at Jacobi Medical Center.
Lieutenant Joseph Murray was still in critical condition with broken ribs, punctured lung, and serious burns on his hands from the fire last Friday. Firefighter William Kanych sustained a fracture ankle, a fractured spine, and burns on his face and hand. Medical officials reported that his condition was improving.
Bridget Hom
NewYorkInjuryNews.com