Brooklyn District Attorney Honors Three FDNY Fire Marshals

Three FDNY fire marshals were among the honorees at the 21st Annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Awards, hosted by Brooklyn District Attorney Charles J. Hynes on May 25.

The event, hosted at Brooklyn Law School, honored Supervising Fire Marshal Salvator Rignola and Fire Marshals Joseph Sullivan and Elvage Jackson as well as 14 other officials from the NYPD, NYS Court Officers Association and Kings County District Attorney's Office.

The honorees were recognized for their bravery, dedication to the job and involvement in the community.

"They have played a significant role in keeping Brooklyn safe, sometimes risking their own lives in the process," said District Attorney Hynes.

The three members of the Bureau of Fire Investigation investigated and uncovered the identities of the culprits of a fire in a three-story Putnam Avenue brownstone on Aug. 30, 2010.

Numerous occupants were trapped on the upper floors of the fire building and firefighters rescued nine occupants. Six of the firefighters were injured.

FM Jackson conducted the forensic fire-scene examination, while SFM Rignola and FM Sullivan investigated the facts and circumstances that led to the fire.

FM Jackson determined the fire had been intentionally set using an accelerant.  Critical evidence was recovered and processed for lab analysis.

SFM Rignola and FM Sullivan canvassed the area of the fire, interviewed potential witnesses, spoke to confidential informants and searched investigative databases.  The evidence led them to a drug trafficking group in the area.

They found that the motive for the fire was related to a turf war over drug sale locations as well as a near fatal shooting that took place one week earlier. In the next several months, the investigation revealed the identities of the perpetrators, leading to two arrests.  Another perpetrator fled the country.  Efforts currently are underway to have him extradited.