Help Anthony recover from his tragic loss

On December 18th at 8:24 AM I was awakened by an unexpected phone call. I looked at the caller ID and saw "Lieutenant Brian Hart" from the Melbourne Police Department. I imagine for most people, an unexpected call such as this would immediately cause one's heart to drop, anticipating bad news about a loved one involved in some sort of tragedy. That was not the case for me, as I've known this Lieutenant as my friend Brian for many years. I retired as a Sergeant with the Melbourne Police Department a little over a year ago. While I wasn't expecting this call, I assumed Lt. Hart wanted to ask me for some advice about how to improve his Call of Duty skills or maybe plan a fishing trip. Happy to hear from an old friend, and heart sitting comfortably in the elevated position, I answered the phone with a friendly "Hey, what's going on man?" To my dismay, Lt. Hart responded in a strictly business tone, "Hey Jeff, it's Lt. Hart from MPD. You're good friends with Anthony Ciraco, right?" That's precisely the moment my heart did sink, because that's when I knew something was wrong.

Let me back up a little bit; Anthony Ciraco is my friend. Actually, Anthony isn't just a friend, but more like a younger brother. While I have other brothers, Anthony has none. I met him several years ago when he was working as a bartender. We were fast friends because the more I came to know him, the more I saw him as a truly decent and caring person. I also soon realized how much of an impact I had on his life, as I unwittingly became a role model for him. He would often solicit my advice, and I could clearly see that he really took that advice to heart. At some point along the way, I also started to feel like Anthony's older brother.

As a bartender, Anthony wasn't just great at mixing drinks; he really cared about his customers. He had a knack for creating a fun atmosphere, but he wasn't afraid of being the "bad guy" and cutting people off when necessary. Even then, he would do it in a way that spared them from public humiliation, and he would always do his best to ensure they left the bar safely in a cab or with some other sober driver. Whether he was de-escalating angry customers on the verge of drunkenly violent confrontation, or mixing a round of shots, Anthony always stayed focused on his job and did so honorably and responsibly.

Anthony often expressed an admiration for police officers, and one day it occurred to me that he was just the type of person we needed in our profession. Competent, empathetic, intuitive, caring, professional, courageous- Anthony embodies these characteristics, so, I encouraged him to apply with the Melbourne Police Department. Several others, including his fellow Masons, customers and even other police officers recognized these traits and joined in encouraging Anthony on his journey to a career in law enforcement. A little reluctant at first, he did eventually take the advice. Since then, he was hired, and he successfully completed both the academy and the Melbourne Police Department Field Training Program. Many people now see in MPD Officer Anthony Ciraco, what some of us saw in Anthony the bartender. Anthony became a police officer because he has an earnest desire to help people and to serve his community.

The other morning, as I listened to my friend Brian speak to me as Lieutenant Hart, I learned that my brother needed my help. Lt. Hart explained that Anthony was involved in a fire and was being transported to the emergency room with burns to his hands, arms, face and head. While I was relieved to learn he was going to recover, I also knew this was going to be a difficult time. After meeting him briefly in the ER and assuring him that I would help him through this, I hurried to his home to assist in collecting his valuables and doing what I could to start working towards recovery. By now I knew this was a kitchen fire started from heating oil to fry up some chicken for breakfast. I've seen many kitchen fires over my career, but what I found when I arrived was shocking. This fire was intense, and the damage to his home was significant. I later learned that, after unsuccessfully trying to extinguish the flames, he tried to leave, but his frightened dog ran the wrong way, back into a bedroom without the ability to escape the rapidly intensifying inferno. With no regard for his own safety, Anthony knew he couldn't leave his beloved dog Buddy to perish in the fire, so he ran frantically through his home searching. He found his Buddy in a bedroom, scooped him up in his arms, and went to leave. By this point the flames had grown very intense, and with the kitchen between him and the front door, his options for escape were decreasing fast. He had to pass very near the kitchen and through the home as the flames sped across the ceiling in the same direction. It was as he passed very near the kitchen with Buddy wrapped in his arms that he received the worst of his injuries. He ran through the rear sliding door as his plastic vertical blinds melted from their position above the door falling to the floor. It was only after he escaped with Buddy that he realized he had not taken his phone, and he had no way to call for help. Fearing for his neighbors, Anthony deposited Buddy safely in the grass before running back inside to find his phone. After narrowly escaping with his life for a second time, he was finally able to summon help.

Anthony's home is a townhouse, with several other units directly attached. Fortunately, his efforts paid off, and the fire department was able to respond in time to extinguish the flames before the fire was able to spread to the rest of the occupied units. His neighbors up to that point, did not realize how close they had been to experiencing their own nightmare. At this time, it appears that Buddy also escaped unscathed. Anthony did not fare nearly as well. He sustained second degree burns to a fairly significant portion of his upper body, as well as injury to his lungs from smoke inhalation. While this is unfortunate, he is still extremely lucky, as he was likely mere seconds away from certain death.

The monetary cost of this tragedy is not entirely known. Anthony was transported to the emergency room at Holmes Regional Medical Center by Brevard County Fire Rescue for his initial treatment. Due to the severity of his injuries, and the potential damage to his lungs, medical staff determined that he needed transport to the burn unit at the Orlando Regional Medical Center for specialized treatment. Upon his release from the hospital, Anthony returned to discover the smoldering wreckage that had been his home. The fire had destroyed more than just his townhouse. Virtually all his possessions beyond those secured in his safe have been destroyed. Most of his clothing had been hung on a drying rack in his kitchen, and none remained after the fire. The clothing that remained was largely ruined by the extensive smoke damage. The same is true of all his furniture. In addition to the smoke, the amount of water required to kill the inferno also destroyed much of his other property. Anthony does not carry the renter’s insurance, so there will be no compensation for this loss. Additionally, his home is no longer livable. The unit will need to be completely gutted and rebuilt before it will be inhabitable. The flames penetrated through the trusses and the roof so that the light of day is now visible looking up from the kitchen. Luckily Anthony's landlords were more concerned with Anthony's safety and wellbeing than their property and have said he is welcome to return when the unit is repaired. However, this will take many months, and he will require shelter until that time.

The road ahead will be difficult, and there will certainly be significant out of pocket expenses that Anthony could not have anticipated. He does not have the kind of money set aside to weather this kind of financial hit. To know Anthony is to love him. He wants nothing more than to serve and to help lift others up in their times of need, but right now he is the one who needs help. I understand that these times are tough for a lot of people financially, especially with the holidays already upon us, but please take a few minutes of your day and a few dollars, if you can spare them, and help one of the good guys in his time of need. I can vouch for him, and I assure you that he will take your help, recover, and then repay your kindness tenfold in the years to come. Thank you for your generosity!