The New York State Assembly and Senate today passed legislation classifying the death of Firefighter Christian Philip Engeldrum as occurring in the line of duty. Engeldrum, a 5 1/2–year veteran of the New York City Fire Department and a Sergeant in the Army National Guard, was killed last week while on active military duty in Iraq.  The legislation, passed at the request of Mayor Bloomberg, allows his widow to receive an annual pension benefit equal to his full salary, the Mayor’s Benefit (a lump sum equal to one-year’s salary) and health insurance for her and their children for life.

“Christian Engeldrum spent his life protecting us.  He brought honor to our Police Department, Fire Department and armed services.  He took every possible risk to in service of our City and our country. It cost him his life and the City and the Fire Department is feeling the loss of this brave soul. This legislation ensures that those he had to leave behind will know that New Yorkers appreciate his sacrifice and will never forget it. I commend the Assembly, State Senate and City Council for their swift passage of this legislation and look forward to the Governor’s signing of it.”