Bronx Street Renamed to Honor Lt. Howard J. Carpluk, E-42

 

The corner of Monroe Avenue and 175th Street in the Bronx will forever be known as Lt. Howard J. Carpluk Place.

Dozens of firefighters and members of Lt. Carpluk’s family gathered at Engine 42 for the official street renaming ceremony on May 2.

“Today is a day that we remind the Carpluk family that they are part of our family and we will be there for you in good times and in bad,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano.

Lt. Carpluk and Probationary Firefighter Michael Reilly of Engine 75 were tragically killed on August 27, 2007, while battling a three-alarm fire at 1575 Walton Avenue, a one-story 99-cent store near the Grand Concourse.

FDNY units entered the building in a search for fire and victims when a collapse occurred, fatally injuring the firefighters.

“We should take this as a gift from New York and the Bronx,” said Lt. Stephen Wall of Engine 42. “It’s now our duty to inform new firefighters of who Howie was … a man who always reported for duty with a big smile on his face.”

Among those attending the ceremony were Lt. Carpluk’s wife, Debra, his daughter, Paige, and his son, Bradley.

“[Lt. Carpluk] made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our way of life,” said Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion.

Sherman Brown Community Liaison for Councilmember Maria Baez presented a duplicate street sign to the Carpluk family, adding, “thank you for loaning Howie to us - keep your head up high because your husband and father was a great American hero.”