Written by Matthew Shepard.

Derek Floyd, a dedicated former New York City firefighter, tragically passed away from a heart attack, just months after losing his job due to budget cuts that favored funding accommodations for illegal immigrants. The New York Post reports this heartbreaking story, highlighting the profound impact on Floyd’s family, who now faces severe financial difficulties without him. This incident unfolded after Floyd was removed from his position on Christmas, during a period marked as “long term duty” due to injuries sustained in service.

The decision to terminate Floyd was part of a controversial city strategy to reallocate funds towards providing hotel stays and social services for illegal immigrants. His widow shared with the Post, “I wouldn’t wish it on anyone,” expressing the immense emotional and financial toll this has taken on her family. She noted that the stress of the situation weighed heavily on Floyd, who remained positive in public but was deeply affected privately.

A Family’s Struggle and City Priorities

In the wake of Floyd’s dismissal, his family grapples with the absence of health insurance and other benefits usually afforded to public servants who risk their lives daily. The widow poignantly remarked, “If Derek would have stayed on, he would have had a life insurance policy with the FDNY. That would have helped out financially because right now, it’s really bad. I’m honestly swimming in a lot of debt.” This situation underscores the stark reality of a family left to fend for themselves after the city prioritized funding for illegal aliens over its own service members.

Further complicating this tragedy is Floyd’s background as a decorated veteran who served three tours in the Middle East before aspiring to become a firefighter—a dream cut tragically short. His widow described him as a passionate family man, devoted to his children and his community. The city’s decision to cut $74 million from the FDNY’s budget in 2025 to accommodate undocumented immigrants adds a layer of political and ethical debate to Floyd’s personal story, raising questions about the allocation of public resources and the values that underpin such decisions.

Our Take

The story of Derek Floyd is a painful reminder of the real-life consequences of political decisions. It raises significant concerns about the priorities of our city leaders and the sacrifices made by those who serve. When a city chooses to fund the needs of illegal immigrants over the safety and welfare of its public servants, it not only risks the integrity of its institutions but also the trust and safety of its citizens.

This tragic event should serve as a wake-up call for reassessing our priorities and ensuring that the heroes who protect us are never left behind. It’s time to restore balance and fairness in our budgetary decisions, making sure that those who have given the most are not forgotten when they need us the most.