Deputy Commissioner Christine R. Godek Medal

Fire Marshal Richard J. Grigoli, BFI, City-Wide Command

August 8, 2004, 0337 hours, Box 75-1376, 40 West 115th Street, Manhattan

Appointed to the FDNY on September 14, 1987. Previously assigned to Ladders 8, 82 and 20. Uncle, FF Frank D’Aurio, retired and now deceased, was assigned to Engine 238. Member of the Columbia Association and the Fraternal Order of Police. Holds a BA degree in Business from the College of Staten Island. Recipient of a unit citation. Resides on Staten Island with his wife, Deborah, and their children, Gabrielle, Michael and Ethan.

On Sunday, August 8, 2004, at 0337 hours, a fire occurred inside 40 West 115th Street in the borough of Manhattan. Someone had poured a flammable liquid in the public hallway on the ninth floor and then ignited the vapors, causing a sudden fireball, trapping all the occupants inside their apartments.

The raging inferno then extended into the apartments of 9G and 9H, seriously burning the occupants of apartment 9G. Due to the injuries sustained, Battalion 12 transmitted two 10-45 code 3s and one 10-45 code 2 for the following victims--Moriama Valdez, age 19, Leudy Valdez, age 23, and a toddler, Brittany Sepulveda, age 4.

Fire Marshal Richard Grigoli and his partner, FM Raymond Ott--designated Squad 37 Alpha--working the night tour out of the BFI City-Wide Command, had been monitoring the events via the Department radio. They responded immediately on the 10-45 signal. Wasting little time, they began their investigation into the cause of the fire.

While fire operations were still in progress, FM Grigoli and his partner began a canvass of possible witnesses and other residents in the building. During this initial phase of the investigation, they were able to develop a possible “target,” identified as the estranged husband of Moriama.

After performing a thorough and complete physical examination of the fire scene, FM Grigoli uncovered a pour pattern, which evidenced that a flammable liquid had been used in the fire. Additionally, there was a strong odor of gasoline in the hallway.

A sample was taken and transported to the NYPD lab for analysis and confirmation. Squad 37 A then responded to the Bronx to locate the suspect. Within hours, they had located the suspect, Alex Cruz, and brought him into the 28th Precinct for questioning. During this time, FM Grigoli directed Squad 34 Bravo to respond into the Bronx to verify the story Mr. Cruz was relating.

During this subsequent investigation, a pair of gasoline-soaked sneakers, belonging to the suspect, were recovered. Additionally, through the process of elimination, the Fire Marshals located a gas station where the suspect may have purchased the gasoline. A review of the security videotapes showed the suspect purchasing a gallon of gasoline shortly before the fire.

Equipped with this evidence, FM Grigoli employed his experience and unique interviewing skills, which resulted in a full confession by the suspect, who, indeed, had committed the heinous crime. FM Grigoli worked closely with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office while making the case against the suspect. The result was a conviction for felony arson and an eight-year prison sentence for Alex Cruz.

FM Richard Grigoli’s investigative skills were in the finest traditions of the New York City Fire Department’s Bureau of Fire Investigation and a true testament to the dedication and professionalism of the Fire Marshals of the FDNY. In recognition of his actions, he is presented with the Deputy Commissioner Christine R. Godek Medal.—RMcC