Lt Christopher Joseph Raguso, FDNY, was the consummate first-responder who dedicated his life to helping others. Whether leading a squad of firefighters into a burning building, chasing a hurricane in Texas or Puerto Rico, or flying fearlessly into harm’s way to rescue a wounded soldier, sailor, airman or marine, service to his community and his country were the unshakeable building blocks during his 20-year professional career. He was born to be a member of FDNY, of this there is no doubt. This goal was his singular mission from the age of 19 and was the fire that consumed him from within…to be a part of this tight-knit brotherhood of blue that was bigger than anything he could accomplish as an individual.
While we are totally devastated by his untimely loss as a son, father, husband and community leader, we are comforted somewhat in the knowledge that when he made the ultimate sacrifice, he was serving others by doing the things that he was born to do, that he was trained to do, that he loved to do and that ultimately, he gave his life to do. It is our job to keep his memory of accomplishments alive with his young girls and let them never forget that their dad loved them beyond words and was a true American hero. Duty, honor and courage...these were the hallmarks of Christopher-J, and may his memory never fade.