Angry families of three retired fire heroes who died in the Sept. 11 attacks are upset the city is denying the men the same honors as fallen active-duty firefighters.September 10, 2003 -- Angry families of three retired fire heroes who died in the Sept. 11 attacks are upset the city is denying the men the same honors as fallen active-duty firefighters.
"My father died exactly how he lived his life - as an FDNY firefighter," said Brendan Corrigan.
James J. Corrigan, who before retirement worked at Engine 10 - near the World Trade Center - was a fire safety official at the complex. Two other FDNY retirees employed at the WTC - William Wren and Phillip Hayes - also died saving lives.
A special state law gave Corrigan, Wren and Hayes full active-employment status, entitling their families to benefits.
In a statement, the department said its decision not to count the men among 343 firefighters lost followed 137 years of city policy.
