Friends of slain firefighter Thomas Dorr are hoping that an increase in reward money will lead to a break in a nearly 20-year-old murder case.

The then-50-year-old Pleasantville volunteer firefighter was found beaten and stabbed to death in a snow-covered park near his home in January 1996.

Police say Dorr's widow and stepson remain the prime suspects in the case. However, they say no evidence was ever found linking the two to the murder.

Dorr's former colleagues have never given up hope that his killers would be brought to justice. They announced on Wednesday that they have added $3,500 to the $2,500 reward already established by New York State Crime Stoppers for any information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

"Tom was never afraid to speak his mind and now we need somebody to speak on his behalf," says friend Robert Allo.

The fire department holds a vigil every year for Dorr. Its members say they hope there will finally be a break in the case this year.

Anyone with information on the murder can call Westchester Crime Stoppers at 1-800-898-8477.