Commack FD/FDNY member killed in helicopter crash in Iraq

Sadly our fire service family lost another hero today. Commack resident Christopher Raguso and six other service members were killed when their HH-60 Pave Hawk military helicopter hit power lines and crashed near the city of al-quim near the Syrian border in Iraq. Chris was a Lieutenant in Company 4 of the Commack Fire Department and a Lieutenant in the FDNY. He died while serving as a member of the 106th Rescue Wing of the Air National Guard (based in Westhampton Beach). This story will be updated.

Lieutenant Raguso was appointed as a FDNY Firefighter in March of 2005 and assigned to Ladder Company 113 in Flatbush, Brooklyn. In September, 2016, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Battalion 50 in Queens. On six different occasions he was cited for bravery and life-saving actions as an individual Firefighter or as part of a unit.

Lt. Raguso was the bravest of the brave. He dedicated his life to his family, to serving his community, the city of New York and this country, His death is a tremendous loss to our community, the city of New York and to this nation. Chris is survived by his wife and two young children. Chris turned 39 years old the day before he was killed.

Donations in Lt. Raguso's honor can be made to the FDNY Foundation Scholarship Fund to benefit his children by clicking the FDNY Foundation Logo below and then selecting the fund from the drop down menu.

Sidenote:
Lt. Raguso is the 1,148th member of the FDNY Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the line-of-duty. The last member of the Department to die in the line of duty was Firefighter William N. Tolley of Ladder Company 135, who died on April 20th, 2017. The last member of the Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice while in active military service was Firefighter Christian P. Engledrum, who was killed in action on November 29, 2004 in Iraq.

Currently, 62 FDNY personnel are on extended military orders in the branches of the United States Armed Forces, serving around the world. There are more than 1400 FDNY members who are military reservists or veterans.