Robert Cruz (1977-2022) was a 16-year veteran of the FDNY. He was assigned to Engine 301 in Hollis in September 2005. Known as a hard worker who was always ready to go beyond to serve the Hollis community, he became a staple of his firehouse’s reputation for always doing the right thing. From probationary to senior firefighters, he always set a good example for his colleagues, informally known as the “Hollis Hogs.” As a mentor to probationary firefighters, he helped countless people early in their careers and would help guide them through the academy. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on January 2, 2020, a rigorous task that led to his working with Battalion 7 in Manhattan.

Cruz attended Xavier High School in Manhattan, where he played for the football and baseball teams. On February 17, 2022, at the age of 44, he died in a sudden and tragic medical episode. He was survived by his wife, Lauren, and two children, Noah and Lydia Grace. On February 17, 2023, the intersection of 197th Street and 91st Avenue in Hollis, located in front of Cruz's former Engine 301 firehouse quarters, was co-named Lt. Robert Cruz Way in his honor.