Mourners Gather In Suffolk For Slain Paramedic

COMMACK, NY — The first round of memorial services for Alison Russo-Elling, a long-time member of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad and an FDNY EMS worker who was stabbed to death while on the job, was held on Monday in Commack, with more slated for Tuesday.

Russo-Elling, 61, was attacked steps from her Astoria, Queens, work station on Thursday, authorities said. Peter Zisopoulos, 34, was charged with murder after Russo-Elling was stabbed 19 times, the New York Post reported.

Russo-Elling was also a long-time member of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad.

Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to Russo-Elling, Newsday reported.

She was someone who "never stopped wanting to help people," as she would get off her shift in New York City and travel back to Long Island to volunteer with the Huntington squad, said Tom Hogan of Cold Spring Harbor, Newsday reported. Hogan and his wife, Judy, rode in ambulances with Russo-Elling for the Huntington first aid squad.

Gov. Kathy Hochul, acting FDNY Commissioner Laura Kavanagh, and NYC Mayor Eric Adams attended Commack Abbey funeral home on Monday, according to Newsday.

Russo-Elling is survived by her daughter and parents, the FDNY said.

Russo-Elling's parents confronted Adams at the wake on Monday to demand he get control of the high crime rates in the city, the New York Post reported.

“Her mom and dad just took the mayor on,” Suffolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy told The Post.

Frank and Catherine Fuocco challenged Adams, with Catherine telling Adams he should know how to lower the city's crime rates given he was a police officer for 30 years, Kennedy told the New York Post.

Adams, the day Russo-Elling was killed, wrote "we lost a hero today" on Facebook.

"She was murdered on duty in an unprovoked attack. Her assailant is in custody. Lt. Russo-Elling gave so much for our city. Please keep her family and the FDNY in your prayers tonight."

Russo-Elling joined the Huntington squad in 1992 and served as day captain for 13 years. During her tenure at HCFAS, she began as an EMT, then obtained her Critical Care and Paramedic certifications.

Russo-Elling joined the FDNY as an EMT in March 1998, later being promoted to paramedic in 2002 and lieutenant in 2016, according to an Instagram post by the department.

She will be posthumously promoted to the rank of captain at her funeral, Kavanagh said, the NY Daily News reported. Her funeral will be at the Tilles Center in Brookville on Wednesday.

“Alison Russo was everything we look for in a leader in our Department,” Kavanagh said Tuesday, according to the NY Daily News.

During the Sept. 11 attacks, she aided in rescue and recovery efforts, according to the FDNY. Over the course of her career, she worked in at least five other stations before landing at Station 49 in Astoria.

With reporting from Nick Garber.