Family remembers fallen FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo, murdered 6 years ago Thursday
NEW YORK -- Family and colleagues of fallen FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo remembered her at a memorial in the Bronx on Thursday, six years to the day she was murdered while on the job.
Uniforms, flags and tears were at a ceremony that was somber, difficult and full of pride that Arroyo served the city with dedication and love.
"With peace in our hearts, and a promise in our mind, we shall always honor, appreciate, thank, and celebrate the live of Yadira Arroyo," an FDNY official said.
Arroyo was a single mother to five children, and was in her 14th year with the FDNY when Jose Gonzalez hijacked her ambulance and ran her over with it twice.
He was initially declared unfit to stand trial, but that decision was reversed in September.
Then, on March 8, Gonzalez was found guilty of first-degree murder.
READ MORE: Jose Gonzalez found guilty in killing of FDNY EMT Yadira Arroyo
Arroyo's family members said the conviction they desperately wanted took too long, and they always knew it would fail to bring closure.
"We went home, and we have to absorb all of that happened and still reeling with the pain of seeing the videos, of seeing her for the last minutes of her life," said Ali Acevedo-Hernandez, Arroyo's aunt.
The feeling of loss was especially strong on Thursday as they stood on White Plains Road in Soundview, where the beloved public servant was killed.
"I will always grieve for her. I will always miss her. I will always love her," Acevedo-Hernandez said.
Six candles were lit, one for each year Arroyo's been gone.
Watch Dave Carlin's report
Sitting in the front row at the service was Monique Williams, Arroyo's traumatized EMT partner who was there the day Arroyo was killed and testified at trial.
"Thank you, Monique, for being brave and telling what happened and not backing down," Attorney General Letitia James said.
Family of Captain Alison Russo, a 61-year-old EMS officer who was stabbed to death this past fall while on the job in Queens, were also there.
"You're not alone in this painful journey. Look around you. All these people started as strangers and became family," Acevedo-Hernandez said.
Arroyo's family says despite getting justice, they will never have closure but vow to keep her name ever present.
"We will never forget, but also that we can't forget. It's simply not possible. She was too great of a person, and you guys carry on her memory far too well," FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said.
Sentencing for Gonzalez is scheduled for April 5. He could face 25 years to life in prison.