42 officers who died of 9/11 illnesses added to wall of heroes

MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11) — Twenty three years after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 the death toll continues to rise.

In the years that have passed, more than the nearly 3,000 people killed on that day have lost their lives from 9/11-related illnesses, many of them first responders.

In New York, the names of 40 police officers who succumbed to those illnesses and two who were killed in the line of duty, were added to the police wall of honor in lower Manhattan.

Interim Police Commissioner Thomas Donlon addressed the ceremony in Battery Park City: “Every name on this wall represents a life of service. They were sons, daughters, mothers, wives. They shared one thing in common, they all swore an oath to protect others.”

Families gathered for the emotional unveiling. It was a moment for them to reflect on the sacrifices their loved ones made and a special moment as they were being remembered by the city they served.

Mayor Adams told the crowd, “Today we have 42 individuals who sacrificed their lives to assure that we would continue to get up. We as a city sit under a tree of freedom because these men and women watered that tree with their blood.”

Families searched for the names of loved ones who rest alongside the names of more than 1100 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty since the wall was created 27 years ago.

Debbie Higgins found her husband Ronald’s name. Teary-eyed, she declared, “It never gets easier. He’s mine. He’s with me.”

Detective Harry Stafilias succumbed to a 9/11-related illness a year ago. His widow Ann was overwhelmed by seeing his name on the wall, “He was a very quiet simple man. He would not have wanted all of this.  For me, my children it means a lot for me for him to be remembered.”

It was a sad but heartwarming moment for families as they gathered along the wall. Police officer Andrew Quinlan passed four years ago. Chocked up with emotion, his widow Kim said,
“I miss him terribly, but I’m so grateful he’s being honored. They’ll be able to come to see their grandfather, great grandfather. His friends and his family will get to talk about who he was and what he did.”

They served the city well and made the ultimate sacrifice as a result of 9/11-related illnesses. The ceremony honoring 42 additional heroes was a sad day of remembrance for the families but also an uplifting one for they know their loved ones’ names will forever be etched in the wall for future generations to visit.

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