A beloved New York City firefighter and military veteran tragically passed away from a heart attack after being fired by city officials in order to free up funds to support illegal aliens, leaving his family in dire financial straits.
According to a report by the New York Post on Sunday, 36-year-old Derek Floyd suffered a cardiac arrest and passed away on April 15. This occurred four months after the city terminated his employment as part of a broader initiative to reduce staff and move resources to help the tens of thousands of illegal aliens residing in the city.
The Post indicates that New York City aims to slash $74 million from the FDNY budget by the conclusion of 2025 to accommodate further expenditures on services for illegal aliens.
Floyd was reportedly dismissed just weeks before Christmas. Having served as a firefighter for four years, he was among approximately ten Fire Department personnel assigned to “long-term duty.”
Long-term duty typically involves firefighters who are either injured on duty and assigned desk work or are on extended sick leave. Floyd had been working in the chaplain’s office after experiencing a previous heart attack in 2019 while undergoing training at the Fire Academy.
Compounding the tragedy, Floyd was on the brink of qualifying for additional medical benefits for his family and over $600,000 in death benefits when he lost his job, leaving his family without any financial support.
NEW: FDNY firefighter Derek Floyd who was fired to free up money for illegals, has died of a heart attack leaving his family with nothing.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 29, 2024
Floyd was close to receiving $600,000 worth of death benefits before he was fired, thanks to the illegals.
Floyd, a former marine,… pic.twitter.com/ji2OmzJpvJ
“If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY,” Floyd’s widow Christine told the Post. “That would have helped out financially because right now, it’s really bad. I’m honestly swimming in a lot of debt.”
“I think it definitely took a toll once they let him go,” she added. “He always tried to, like, stay positive about it, and he wasn’t really angry.
After being fired from the FDNY, Floyd got a job with a nonprofit organization that helps veterans. However, the salary was significantly lower than what he earned at the FDNY, and he received limited benefits, with work hours that limited his time with his children.
Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighter Association, blasted the decision to fire Derek in an interview with the Post, emphasizing that it was unnecessary, given the FDNY is already understaffed.
“What disturbs me the most is that the FDNY is understaffed by hundreds of firefighters. Terminating Floyd was absolutely unnecessary,” Ansbro said.
“He had an important job, and the FDNY actually needed him in that unit,” Ansbro continued. “He was terminated so the department could prove that they were making cuts. He deserved better.”
In addition to his dedicated service to the FDNY, Floyd completed three tours of duty in the Middle East with the Marines.
He is survived by his wife Christine and their two children, a 6-year-old son and a 2-year-old daughter.
The Post notes that donations to help the Floyds in their time of need can be made to the “New York Firefighters Foundation” and sent by mail addressed to FF Derek Floyd C/O UFA – NYFFinc 204 E. 23rd St., New York, NY 10010.
