Deputy Commissioner Christine R. Godek Medal

Fire Marshal Joseph A. Ricca BFI--Brooklyn Base

October 11, 2005, Box 33-2216, 2312 hours, 454 New Dorp Lane, Staten Island

Appointed to the FDNY on April 30, 1997. Previously assigned to Engine 161. Father, Fire Marshal Joseph Ricca, is retired; brother, FF Pat Ricca, is assigned to Engine 221; sister-in-law, FF Aisha Ricca, is assigned to Engine 224; brother-in-law, FF Steven Murphy, is assigned to Ladder 1; and cousin, FF Anthony Cafro, is assigned to Engine 158. Holds a BS degree from Wagner College. Resides in Staten Island with his wife, Lorraine, and their three children, McKenzie, Taylor and Joseph.

The emblem and shoulder patch of FDNY’s Bureau of Fire Investigation (BFI) displays its founding year, 1854, the Scales of Justice and the Latin motto, Veritas Ex Cineribus (Truth from the Ashes).

Fire Marshal Joseph Ricca, following in the footsteps of his Fire Marshal father and his unit’s motto, successfully unraveled a gruesome arson/murder case. He wound up arresting two teenagers for callously setting fire to a vacant supermarket when they allegedly knew that a homeless man was still inside, unconscious or asleep.

FM Ricca’s adventure began when he and his Squad 35 partner, FM Vincent Palmieri, responded to an eventual third-alarm fire that collapsed the roof and heavily damaged a former Waldbaum’s market at 454 New Dorp Lane, in New Dorp, Staten Island, late Tuesday night, October 11, 2005.

Even as his fellow Firefighters were still battling the fast-moving, dangerous fire, FM Ricca located and interviewed witnesses. He was told that a man had been seen asleep in the rear. He notified the Incident Commander, who assigned Firefighters to conduct a search. Hampered by fire and collapse conditions, they found a man’s body in the rubble. FM Ricca now knew he had a potential homicide case, which was confirmed later by the Medical Examiner’s office.

FM Ricca was joined in the homicide investigation by NYPD Detectives Mark Alvarez, Arson/Explosion squad, and Steve Ferigno of the 122nd Precinct detective squad. The Fire Marshal found additional witnesses and continued his intensive physical examination of the wrecked premises for clues to the fire’s cause and origin and other important details, despite seven days of sometimes record rainfall.

Backed by comprehensive interviews and examination of all available forensic evidence, FM Ricca’s bird-dog tenacity led to the arrest of the two teenagers, based on statements they made,  which substantiated his fire scene examinations. Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan’s office charged the pair with first-degree arson and second-degree murder.

A 17-year-old teen, of Midland Beach, Staten Island, a high school special-education student, was accused of setting the arson fire at the market. The student, who reportedly stepped over the live victim, William B. Lowther, age 65, on her way out of the fire, was held without bail in Staten Island criminal court. She pleaded innocent and awaits trial while undergoing psychiatric evaluation. Her 14-year-old alleged boyfriend and accomplice was referred to Family Court.

FM Ricca’s quick, dogged pursuit of truth and justice for a homeless member of society is a credit to his professional abilities and the FDNY he proudly serves. Therefore, Fire Marshal Joseph Ricca richly merits the Deputy Commissioner Christine R. Godek Medal, awarded annually to an outstanding Fire Marshal for investigatory skills.--RB and JM

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