Thomas Tracy
New York Daily News
NEW YORK 鈥� An FDNY EMS lieutenant killed in a crazed unprovoked attack steps from her Queens station will be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain at her funeral, Acting Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said Tuesday.
Hundreds of first responders are expected to attend Lt. Alison Russo鈥檚 funeral at the Tilles Center in Brookville, Long Island on Wednesday.
鈥淎lison Russo was everything we look for in a leader in our Department,鈥� Kavanagh said Tuesday. 鈥淎 dedicated and accomplished veteran of 25 years, she responded to thousands of emergencies, mentored many new EMTs and paramedics, cared deeply for the communities she served, and set an incredible example for others at Station 49 and at every station she called home throughout her outstanding career.鈥�
Kavanagh said the posthumous promotion 鈥渋s a sign of our deep respect and admiration for all the courageous and selfless work she did throughout her career. We will never forget her.鈥�
Russo was on duty when she was stabbed Thursday afternoon near her station in Astoria. She was on her way to a corner deli to get something to eat when Peter Zisopoulos, 34, attacked her, stabbing her more than 10 times. She was taken to a nearby hospital, where she died.
Zisopoulos was charged with murder and criminal weapon possession. He remains at Bellevue Hospital, where he is undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.
He had no prior arrests.
Hundreds of emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters and other first responders stood in the rain for hours Monday to pay their respects to Russo at the Commack Abbey Funeral Home in Commack, L.I.
The mother and grandmother was a World Trade Center responder and a member of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad volunteer since November 1992.
Russo鈥檚 funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
鈥淪he knew how to do her job, and she knew how to do your job too,鈥� said Michael Greco, now vice president of EMS Local 2507
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