Richard Nappi - Firefighter - New York

Lieutenant Richard A. Nappi, age 47, died in the line of duty on April 16, 2012, in Brooklyn, New York.

He was a member of the New York City Fire Department. He had 17 years of service. 

Richard was battling a three-alarm fire at a warehouse in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Lt. Nappi led a team of firefighters who stretched and operated a hoseline in a mezzanine area of the first floor. While battling the fire, Lt. Nappi became overheated and collapsed. Firefighters from Ladder 112 removed him on a stretcher to the street where he initially was conscious and alert. He was placed in an ambulance and EMS personnel began to treat him when he suddenly became unconscious and suffered cardiac arrest. While paramedics and EMTs continued to work on him, he was rushed by ambulance to Woodhull Hospital where he later died. 

Richard was a 1986 Iona College graduate with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Before joining the Fire Department he had served as a state parole officer and a caseworker for Suffolk County, Long Island. 

Richard volunteered for 20 years at the Farmingville Fire Department in Suffolk County where he lived with his wife and children. 

Saint Florian, Patron Saint
of Firefighters, pray for
Richard

Richard was a responder to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Fire Department officials describe Richard as an extraordinary firefighter and a leader, who was dedicated, brave and committed to the fire service.

Friends describe him as a great guy who you always to be around and who made you laugh. 

Richard is survived by many loving friends and relatives including his wife, Mary Anne; 12 year old daughter, Catherine and 11 year old son, Nicholas. 

Pray for all who die in the line of duty. 

Let us pray to God the Father, Jesus, all of the saints and all of the angels that Richard Nappi is in heaven. Let us pray that he is at peace and is with God. Amen.