Brothers killed in synagogue shooting named honorary Pittsburgh firefighters

PITTSBURGH — David Rosenthal’s dream was to become a Pittsburgh firefighter.

Two days after he was killed, that dream came true.

Brothers killed in Pittsburgh synagogue shooting remembered as kind, loving

David and his brother Cecil were both named honorary Pittsburgh firefighters earlier this week, with their families accepting the patches and badges in their memory.

David and Cecil, who both had special needs, were two of the 11 victims of Saturday’s mass shooting at Tree of Life Synagogue in Squirrel Hill.

Firefighters tell Channel 11 David has been visiting Station 18 on Northumberland Drive for four decades.

Firefighter Mike DiBattiste said he last saw David at the station two weeks ago.

“I called him over and introduced him to two of the newer firefighters,” DiBattiste remembered. “I said, this is Chief David, you better be on your toes today. He would tell them no loafing!”

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