New York State Department of Health Honors Fallen Emergency Medical Providers at EMS Memorial Ceremony

Department Recognizes Bravery of Five EMS Providers Who Died While Serving and Protecting New Yorkers

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 20, 2025) - New York State Department of Health and other State officials today honored five Emergency Medical Services Providers who died while serving and protecting New Yorkers. The ceremony, honoring the fallen EMS providers, took place at the Empire State Plaza in Albany

"Today we mourn the passing of these brave individuals who put the lives of others before their own," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Through their dedication to protecting the health and safety of their communities,countless lives have been saved. Today, as we add the names of these five first responders to the memorial tree, we reaffirm their selfless acts of courage are never forgotten."

Among the five names that were added to the Tree of Life memorial, one passed away following a medical episode while on duty and four succumbed to illnesses that developed after responding to the 9/11 World Trade Center attacks.

The brave individuals who responded to the 9/11 terror attack participated in search and rescue and cleanup at Ground Zero. They continue to pay the price for their courage today. As we honor their lives, we also remember and honor their family, friends and loved ones.

2025 EMS Memorial Honorees:

Lieutenant Anthony S. Cozzino – Dedicated his career to serving the people of New York City, working in all five boroughs throughout is career with the Fire Department of New York City. Lt. Cozzino responded to the World Trade Center attacks, taking part in rescue and recovery efforts. He was diagnosed with a World Trade Center-related illness and passed away on September 7, 2024.

Captain Robert R. DeLeon, Jr. – Captain DeLeon committed 36 years to the Fire Department of New York City, with a significant portion of his career spent serving the people of the Bronx. Captain DeLeon responded to the World Trade Center attacks, taking part in rescue and recovery efforts. He was diagnosed with a World Trade Center-related illness and passed away on April 16, 2024.

Chief Mark Steffens – Dedicated and respected member of the Emergency Medical Service for the Fire Department of New York City. Over the course of his career, he served in all five boroughs, becoming a vital part of the EMS community and overseeing critical EMS operations. Chief Steffens responded to the World Trade Center attacks, taking part in rescue and recovery efforts. He was diagnosed with a World Trade Center-related illness and passed away on November 11, 2024.

EMT Christopher Swierkowski – Emergency Medical Technician Christopher Swierkowski was an extraordinary EMS provider who dedicated 24 years to the Fire Department of the City of New York. He responded to the World Trade Center attacks, taking part in rescue and recovery efforts. He was diagnosed with a World Trade Center-related illness and passed away on May 11, 2024.

AEMT Stephen J Walsh – Stephen Walsh was an Advanced Emergency Medical Technician with Clausson Raught Community Rescue Squad in Copake, New York. A former Air National Guardsman and volunteer firefighter with A.B. Shaw in Claverack, New York, he showed great leadership. When he passed away, he was completing his advanced EMT certification, which he was posthumously awarded by the Division of State EMS. He passed away November 16, 2024 after experiencing a cardiac event while on duty.

New York State Department of Health Executive Deputy Commissioner Johanne Morne said, "These courageous individuals dedicated their lives to answering the call for help. Today, we gather to memorialize their names and honor their legacy – along with those who passed before them in the line of duty. While this marks a somber occasion, it's also an opportunity to reflect on their heroism and dedication to the communities they served. We acknowledge and extend our deepest condolences and gratitude to the family and loved ones of the brave first responders we are memorializing today."

New York State Department of Health, Division of State Emergency Medical Services Director Ryan Greenberg said, "We gather as an EMS community today to honor the five courageous EMS heroes and support their families as their names are added to the EMS Tree of Life. The New York State EMS Memorial stands as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by our fallen heroes and the countless lives of patients they served."

The names of these five heroes who died as a result of injury or illness in the line of duty join the 125 other heroes etched into the New York State EMS Memorial.

This was the 21st year that New York State has held this EMS Memorial Service. The ceremony featured a presentation of colors by the New York City Fire Department Color Guard and the New York City Fire Department Medical Services Pipes & Drum Band.

Executive Deputy Commissioner Morne and Chair of the New York State EMS Council David Violante laid the Memorial Wreath in honor of the EMS members who lost their lives.

Every year, more than 4 million calls for care are answered by the roughly 80,000 EMS professionals across the State, who work for 1,700 EMS agencies. To learn more about the EMS profession, visit the Department's EMS Professionals website.

Photographs of the event will be posted here.