A New York City firefighter has tragically died suddenly of a heart attack at just 36 years old, shortly after FDNY fired him as a cost-cutting measure so NYC could fund the illegal alien “newcomer” crisis.
Derek Floyd, a U.S. Marine veteran, husband, and father of two, died leaving his family with nothing after being booted from the New York City Fire Department (FDNY).
NYC has made major cutbacks to public services as hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens have flooded into the “sanctuary city” expecting “free” handouts from taxpayers.
In many cases, they receive thousands of dollars a month in “free” rent from the government.
Despite entering the country illegally, and without ever contributing to American society, they are also eligible for a host of taxpayer-funded services.
Health insurance, medical care, food assistance, and public education are all provided to illegal aliens courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.
Meanwhile, crime, disease, and homelessness have soared in Democrat-run “sanctuary cities” across the country as a direct result of the influx.
As illegal border crossers take advantage of the system, this competition for resources affects America’s most vulnerable citizens.
However, NYC, like other “sanctuaries,” has struggled to find ways to pay down the cost of housing, feeding, and appeasing this unlawfully imported cohort.
Late last year, NYC’s leaders determined that the city would have to make various budget cuts to pay for the crisis.
This meant laying off citizen workers to free up funds for idling foreigners.
Floyd was one of the citizens who got the boot last year.
Shortly after, he died of a sudden heart attack.
Now, his family is facing financial struggles.
Floyd long aspired to be a firefighter.
After picking up various accolades and campaign medals for tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, and South Korea with the Marines, the proud American’s dream began to materialize.
“He decided to go be a Marine because he thought it could help him do better as a fireman,” his mother told Newsday.
Floyd made it to the FDNY Fire Academy.
He began to train for a second career protecting his countrymen, this time in New York City.
However, one month into training, he suffered a nonfatal heart attack.
He was unable to complete the academy on account of his June 2019 health episode.
However, according to his obituary in Newsday, Floyd went to work for four years as a probationary firefighter with the FDNY Ceremonial Unit.
Floyd worked on modified duty in the chaplain’s office.
Part of his job involved helping to arrange the funerals of fallen firefighters.
Then, just before Christmas 2023, Floyd was fired by the city to fund its illegal alien “newcomers” agenda.
FDNY sources told the New York Post that Floyd was one of roughly 10 fired employees who had been hurt on the job and assigned office work or had been sick for a prolonged period.
The sources confirmed that they were terminated as part of a broader budget cut scheme aimed at tackling the financial strain imposed by the city’s overwhelming illegal alien population.
“What disturbs me the most is that the FDNY is understaffed by hundreds of firefighters. Terminating [Floyd] was absolutely unnecessary,” Uniformed Firefighter Association President Andrew Ansbro told the Post. “He had an important job, and the FDNY actually needed him in that unit. He was terminated so the department could prove that they were making cuts. He deserved better.”
After struggling to make ends meet, the husband and father died from a cardiac arrest four months later.
Christine Floyd, the Marine’s widow, told the Post, “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.”
“I think it definitely took a toll once they let him go,” Christine Floyd said of Floyd’s termination.
“He always tried to, like, stay positive about it, and he wasn’t really angry.”
“But you see a person, and the wheels are turning in their brain where they’re just constantly thinking, so I definitely think it did affect us,” said the widow.
According to the Post, Floyd had been close to securing additional medical benefits for his family as well as over $600,000 in death benefits at the time of his ouster.
However, as he was fired before the process was finalized, Floyd’s wife and two kids were effectively left with nothing.
Meanwhile, foreign nationals continue to be cared for.
“If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY,” said his widow, a guidance counselor with the NYC Department of Education.
“That would have helped out financially because right now, it’s really bad.
“I’m honestly swimming in a lot of debt.”
The GoFundMe campaign organized on behalf of the Marine’s widow and their two children, ages 6 and 2, had already raised around $57,000 at the time of publication.
“He was someone of integrity,” Christine Floyd told Newsday.
“His word was his bond.
“If he said he was going to do something, he was going to do it.
“And his heartbeat for our kids.”
Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said:
“We are heartbroken over the passing of former Probationary Firefighter Derek Floyd, and will explore all financial, legal, and legislative options to help his family and ensure they have the support they need during this time.”
Those readers who may have been considering donating to Slay News today, we kindly ask you to contribute to the family of this fallen American patriot instead.
You can view the campaign and donate HERE.
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