Burglars steal 9/11 Medal of Valor pins from Carrollwood home

Two pins that accompanied a congressional Medal of Valor awarded posthumously to a New York City firefighter who died when the World Trade Center towers fell on Sept. 11, 2001, have been stolen from a Carrollwood home, Hillsborough County deputies say.

Two people have been arrested in connection with the March 6 burglary, but deputies say none of the property stolen, including the pins, has been recovered.

The medal was awarded to Richie Muldowney. When the burglary occurred, the pins were in the possession of Muldowney's mother.

The medal itself was not stolen, Richie's brother Brian Muldowney said this morning. Richie's widow had the medal.

Muldowney, a Hillsborough County firefighter, will speak to the media this afternoon about how much the items mean to the family. He will show photographs of Richie, the medal and the family receiving the medal at the White House.

"It's one of the highest medals awarded, and to have that little piece taken away from you, it's hard," said Brian Muldowney, a driver/engineer in the Northdale area. "To them, it's probably worth nothing, but to us, it's priceless."

Richie was a member of NYC Ladder 7/Engine 16. Three hundred forty-three firefighters died during the tragedy, including six from Ladder 7/Engine 16. He was 40 when he died.

The burglars took the pins and other pieces of jewelry when Muldowney's mother left for a short period of time to go to the store, Brian Muldowney said.

He said he doesn't believe the burglars realize what the pins mean.

The two people arrested in connection with the burglary are Alicia J. Sanders, 20, and Carlos Nigel Pierce, 18, both of Tampa.

Sanders was arrested Friday and charged with grand theft and burglary. Her bail was set at $10,000. She has since been released from jail.

Pierce was arrested June 9 on charges including grand theft, burglary and several counts of violating probation. He remains in Orient Road Jail. No bail has been set.

Richie Muldowney and his brother followed a family tradition in going into public service. Their grandfather was a firefighter, and their father was a police officer.

Richie loved his job and his family, and he loved fishing and being on the water, his brother said. He left behind a wife and two children.

"We don't want our mom to suffer anymore," Brian Muldowney said today. "She's already lost a son. To have this taken from her, it's very disappointing."