Queens FDNY capt. brutally slain in random stabbing honored in new mural: ‘Never forgotten’
A mural honoring a beloved Queens FDNY captain who was brutally slain in a random stabbing attack by a knife-wielding maniac was unveiled Saturday afternoon.
More than 40 EMS and FDNY officers, as well as grieving relatives, gathered at 40-19 20th Ave in Astoria, across the street from Fire Station 49, to honor FDNY EMS Capt. Alison Russo, a 9/11 first responder, who was senselessly murdered by Peter Zisopoulos on Sept. 29, 2022 during her lunch break.
Zisopoulos, 38, was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 25 years to life in prison in 2025.
The crowd cheered as the artists behind the piece, Benny Guerra and Fernando Garcia, revealed the LED-lit mural of Russo, 61, above a banner that reads “Never Forgotten Forever a Hero.”
“It’s amazing to have a supportive community. You know, the FDNY being here,” Russo’s brother Craig Fuoco told The Post. “It’s been a long four years, but she’ll never be forgotten.”
The building’s owner, William “Zac” Zaccari, said that Russo was killed right in front of the property and that Zisopoulos lived upstairs.
“We gotta do this so it becomes a memorial, but more of a celebration than [that],” Zaccari said. “We actually faced her face this way, towards the station. So when [EMS workers] pull out of it with their ambulances or pull in … She’s gonna be smiling at them.”