Assemblyman Joe DeStefano has announced the passage of a bill aimed at providing disability retirement benefits to the widow of Suffolk County Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber. The legislation addresses a long-standing issue regarding benefits for first responders involved in the World Trade Center operations following the September 11 attacks.
The bill, identified as A.8645A, proposes that Stacie Stueber, the widow of Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber, receive a 75% accidental disability retirement benefit. This comes after her late husband was denied these benefits despite his service and eligibility. Richard Stueber suffered from mental illness related to his work at Ground Zero and took his own life while awaiting final action on his retirement application.
“Deputy Sheriff Richard Stueber answered the call when our nation needed him most,” said Assemblyman DeStefano. “He served with honor at Ground Zero and developed serious health complications as a direct result of that service. Denying his family the benefits he earned is not only unjust, it’s unbelievable.”
Although Deputy Stueber was accepted into the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Program and initially awarded a favorable ruling by the New York State and Local Retirement System in March 2020, he was later deemed ineligible due to a technical change in state law affecting his claim. Consequently, he lost critical eligibility after being forced to take an early service pension.
“Richard should never have had to fight for benefits he clearly earned,” DeStefano stated. “This bill ensures that his wife, Stacie, receives the support he died waiting for.”
DeStefano has been an advocate for first responders’ rights and welfare, emphasizing New York’s commitment to remembering its 9/11 heroes and their families.
