Friends, family and members of the FDNY gathered for a wake on Long Island for the EMS Lieutenant who was fatally stabbed on-duty near her station last month.
A second wake for EMS Lieutenant Alison Russo-Elling will be held Tuesday at Commack Abbey Funeral Home, with her funeral set for Wednesday at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, FDNY officials announced.
“This is an incredibly hard day, incredibly hard day for her family, for her station and for the entire fire department,” Acting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said at the wake. “But as we always do, we’ve come together and we stand shoulder to shoulder, to support one another, and that is how we will get through this.”
Mayor Eric Adams also attended the wake Monday, according to his office.
According to police, Russo-Elling, who was a 24-year veteran, was stabbed multiple times by 34-year-old Peter Zisopoulos in an unprovoked attack. Russo-Elling was transported to Mount Sinai Queens Hospital in Queens where she was pronounced dead, according to police.
Prosecutors charged Zisopoulos with murder and criminal possession of a weapon in connection to the stabbing.
Friends said that the incident occurred just months before she was planning to retire.
“She loved being a medic and when I did speak to her there was a change of sadness in her voice and lamenting the fact that she was going to retire,” Anthony Almojera, vice president of the FDNY EMS Officers Union, said. “Because I think if Alison physically could do it, she’ll probably work till 100.”
The FDNY said Russo-Elling is remembered for her rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center and for working under the Dignitary Protection Unit, where she was assigned to former Vice President Mike Pence on a New York City visit.
“Hundreds of people walking this earth who have their life thanks to Alison and don’t know her name, don’t even know she ever showed up,” said Michael Greco, vice president of the FDNY Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics and Fire Inspectors Union.