Hero EMT Slain in Love Triangle
Jason Ruiz
New York Daily News
September 16, 2008
A hero paramedic who once jumped onto the subway tracks to rescue a stricken woman was stabbed to death early Sunday, cops and relatives said.
Police have arrested the woman’s enraged ex-boyfriend, Enrique Pizarro, 25, at about 11:30 p.m. Pizarro was charged with murder and possession of a weapon.
Jason Ruiz, 30, an FDNY emergency medical technician with a long record of bravery, answered a knock on the door of the woman’s Sunset Park, Brooklyn, apartment about 1:30 a.m.
The woman’s ex-boyfriend immediately started arguing with the pair and pulled a knife.
The suspect stabbed Ruiz, whose father is a retired police detective, twice in the chest and ran off, cops said.
“I heard the screams,” said Mario Velazquez, 40, a neighbor. “When the [victim] screamed, somebody ran off.”
Ruiz was taken to Lutheran Medical Center but died an hour after the stabbing, cops said.
“It was an unfortunate tragedy,” said Ruiz’s cousin Carlos Pantoja, 33.
Ruiz’s girlfriend had been “harassed” by her ex-boyfriend recently, family members said. Cops said they knew the suspect’s identity and were hunting him.
Ruiz, a paramedic for four years, was mourned by fellow emergency medical technicians as a fallen hero.
They hung his uniform at their office at Woodhull Hospital in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Flowers surrounded Ruiz’s helmet. Candles sat by his overalls.
“He would do anything for anybody,” said EMT Yvonne Aparicio, 30.
“The department is saddened by his loss,” said FDNY spokesman Jim Long. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”
In July, Ruiz was recognized for rescuing a woman who had suffered a seizure and fell onto the subway tracks at Marcy and Myrtle Aves in Brooklyn, Long said.
Ruiz and his partner, Juan Rios, jumped onto the tracks without waiting for the power to shut off, pulled the woman to safety and provided emergency care.
“He was the first one on the tracks doing what he was trained to do,” said Rios, 27.
He was awarded a medal for “meritorious acts” in 2006 and 2007.
“He was very loyal,” said the sister of Ruiz’s girlfriend, who asked not to be named. “He was a good guy.”
GBFD
22 days ago
204 comments
Rest In Peace brother. condoleances to the family.
JCBVFD
29 days ago
2488 comments
Our Thoughts and prayers are with family and friends during this time. God Bless.
TraumaMomma
about 1 month ago
54 comments
My thoughts and prayers are with the family of BOTH victims the pt and the medic. Rip bro..
Fyerstalker25
about 1 month ago
122 comments
my thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends .
Awesome1FFEMT
about 1 month ago
120 comments
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Fyrmanjon
about 1 month ago
836 comments
Brave lad!
chel1970
about 1 month ago
214 comments
Thoughts and prayers go out to all.
Firebabe589
about 1 month ago
6 comments
I can't believe someone would commit such a horrible act...RIP Sir....
GVG13K6
about 1 month ago
2942 comments
My thoughts and prayers are with Jason's Family and friends
lizzyeggs
about 1 month ago
28 comments
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rest in peace
emtamier
about 1 month ago
76 comments
my thoughts go out to this family rip my friend and fellow ems
amberjgreenwood
about 1 month ago
262 comments
WOW .... RIP MY BROTHER. FOREVER LOVED AND MISSED!!!
SmokinSara
2 months ago
86 comments
how tragic. rest in peace jason.
EMTRainwater
2 months ago
4 comments
My condolences to the Ruiz Family! And know that we are all just passing through this place called "Life"! The real living begins on the Otherside, where we all will be greeted by those who have passed on before us! I wish you all strength, and Love... May your loved one Rest In Peace!
EMTCrash
2 months ago
104 comments
God bless his family. Our prayers are with them.