ALBANY- The name of Forestburgh Assistant Chief William “Billy” Steinberg will be added to the New York State Firefighters Memorial Wall at a ceremony to be held in Albany on October 10, 2023, at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. The event is open to the public and is in its 26th year.
Steinberg tragically died in the line of duty on January 15, 2022. Subsequent investigations revealed that the fire was caused by arson and Mohammed Islam of New York City was arrested and subsequently plead guilty to charges of manslaughter, arson, and burglary. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison last December.
Steinberg’s death has also become a touchpoint in the battle over the state’s bail reform laws. Islam had been arrested and charged in two previous arsons, but because those offenses did not allow cash bail, he was released and subsequently committed the crime that led to Steinberg’s death. Legislation known as “Billy’s Law” was introduced in the State Senate and Assembly that would close the felony arson loophole and would allow judges to issue bail for defendants charged with felony arson.
Billy Steinberg was 37 years old at the time of his death, and was a member of Laborer’s Local 17 in Newburgh. He was the first firefighter to lose his life in the line of duty in Sullivan County in more than a century.
He was previously honored nationally when his name was added to the National Firefighters Memorial in Emmitsburg Maryland earlier this year.
