How sad

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Police: 9/11 firefighter was murdered
BY JOSEPH MALLIA
[email protected]

May 24, 2007

The death in Scottsdale, Ariz., of a New York City firefighter from Deer Park who took part in a cross-country bicycle trip to benefit the families of those who died on Sept. 11, 2001 has now been classified as a murder, Scottsdale police said.

Scottsdale police this week disclosed the investigation into the death of Salvatore Princiotta, who worked at Ground Zero recovering the remains of those who died at the World Trade Center attacks. He had retired and moved to Arizona, suffering lung problems.

Princiotta's family published a death notice in Newsday on May 18, before the homicide determination, saying he died as a result of "post 9/11 lung complications." The notice said he served the FDNY for 15 years and received the Thomas R. Elsasser Memorial Medal, played on the FDNY football team and was an avid photographer.

Responding to calls from Princiotta's family, the Scottsdale police had checked in on him at his apartment on May 14, and found his body, and while his death at first appeared suspicious it was only this week that police determined that it was a homicide. Authorities said it appeared he had been dead for some days.

Scottsdale police Thursday morning declined to provide further details on the investigation or to explain why it took so long to make the determination of homicide.

A lapel pin bearing the logo of the Fire Department City of New York was attached to the entry door of Princiotta's condominium, the Arizona Republic reported. Princiotta was given a police escort on a fire engine to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where his body was flown back to New York, the newspaper reported.

Princiotta was among a small group of FDNY firefighters who biked to Los Angeles, raising $29,000 for the the Uniformed Firefighters Association Widows' & Children's Fund.

They made the trip to pay tribute to their fallen comrades, including ten firefighters from Princiotta's firehouse who died on Sept. 11.

The bicyclists from Ladder Co. 9, Engine Co. 33 in lower Manhattan left the city on Nov. 11, 2001, hoping to reach the West Coast in 33 days, to honor Engine 33. They arrived just 2 1/2 days off pace.

Princiotta was honored for bravery in 1998, when his name was added to FDNY's Roster of Courage. The honor went to his unit at Ladder Co. 9, including Princiotta and Lt. Paul A. Schmidt, and firefighters Peter L. Maglione, Gary J. Nybro, Paul J. Tague and Michael N. Maguire.

The Associated Press contributed to this report

Copyright 2007 Newsday Inc.

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Thats horrible

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That is so sad!

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so sad

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Terrible

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i heard about this, truly sad

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This is soo terrible...
My husband actually knew him....

Message edited 6/26/2009 11:23:35 AM.

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My boyfriend is a firefighter for Engine 33 Ladder 9 and had been good friends with this guy. He told me of his death Thursday night and he was so upset....after the funeral he was so sad. It's horrible. He was explaining to my family how it had been related to 9/11. So sad

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