Five Died Of 9/11 Related Illnesses
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly presided over a Police Memorial Day ceremony at One Police Plaza last Friday, May 10 honoring six members of the NYPD who recently lost their lives.
Five of the officers died of illnesses developed after performing rescue, recovery and clean-up work following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks: Capt. Dennis Morales, Lt. Christopher Pupo, Sgt. Garrett Danza, Det. Alick Herrmann, and P.O. Denis McLarney. Det. Fermin Archer died from injuries received in a vehicle accident while on duty.
“Today, we add six members of the world’s greatest police department to the Wall of Heroes,” Bloomberg said last Friday. “These officers rushed to assist us when we were in harm’s way, and they always put the safety of others above their own. We remember them with tremendous pride and gratitude-and we promise that none of them will ever be forgotten. It is because of officers like these that New York City is the safest big city in the nation today.”
“The six men we honor today were heroes,” added Kelly. “They gave their lives in service to the public, to the cause of making New York City safe for all. Today they join the roll call of honor that is our Hall of Heroes.”
Captain Morales joined the NYPD in January 1992 and began his career on patrol in the 7 Precinct. He also served in the 10th, 60th and 88th Precincts, as well as Police Service Area 9; the Street Crime Unit, Patrol Borough Manhattan South SU, the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Task Force, Housing Special Operations, Patrol Borough Bronx, and the Emergency Service Unit.
He was promoted to sergeant in August 1997; lieutenant in August 2000; and captain in March 2004. During his 18-year career with the Department, Morales-a graduate of St. Joseph’s College-made 93 arrests, and was recognized six times for Excellent Police Duty and two times for Meritorious Police Duty.
Morales retired on July 30, 2010, and died on July 27, 2012, at the age of 50.
Lieutenant Pupo joined the NYPD in August 1998 and began his career on patrol in the 52nd Precinct. He also served in the 26th and 41st Precincts; the Employee Management Division, the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Emergency Service Unit, and Emergency Service Squads 4 and 8.
He was promoted to sergeant in February 2004 and to lieutenant in December 2009. During his 14-year career with the NYPD, Pupo made more than 200 arrests, and was recognized 24 times for Excellent Police Duty and nine times for Meritorious Police Duty. He earned both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Psychology from Iona College and Long Island University, respectively.
Pupo died on June 23, 2012, at the age of 40.
Sergeant Danza joined the NYPD in January 1983, and began his career on patrol in the 34th Precinct. He also served in the 69th Precinct and the Communications Division. He was promoted to sergeant in March 1994.
During his 20-year career, Sergeant Danza made nearly 200 arrests and was recognized two times for Excellent Police Duty and two times for Meritorious Police Duty.
Danza retired on Jan. 24, 2003 and died on July 11, 2012, at the age of 58.
Detective Herrmann joined the NYPD in January 1986 and began his career on patrol in the 75th Precinct. He also served in the Brooklyn South East Narcotics Division, Queens North and South Narcotics Divisions; Vice; the Auto Crime Division; and the 102nd and 100th Precinct Detective Squads. He was promoted to detective in December 1991; and detective second grade in May 2005.
Herrmann made nearly 400 arrests during his 20-year career and was recognized six times for Excellent Police Duty, five times for Meritorious Police Duty, and is the recipient of a Commendation.
Detective Herrmann retired on Jan. 13, 2006, and died on Dec. 23, 2011, at the age of 49.
Detective Archer joined the New York City Transit Police Department in July 1985 and began his career in Transit District 3. He also served in Transit District 2, the Warrant Section, the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Operations; the Police Commissioner’s Office, the New York County District Attorney’s Office, and the Warrant Section’s Regional Fugitive Task Force. He was promoted to detective in December 1990; detective second grade in December 1995; and detective first grade in December 2000.
Archer, a 1991 Combat Cross recipient, made more than 100 arrests during his 26-career. He was also recognized twice for Excellent Police Duty, once for Meritorious Police Duty, and is the recipient of a Commendation.
Detective Archer died from injuries received in a vehicle accident while on duty, at the age of 48.
Officer McLarney joined the New York City Police Department in July 1996, and began his career on patrol in the 73rd Precinct. He also served in the Patrol Borough Brooklyn North Task Force and the Brooklyn Court Section.
During his 13-year career, he was recognized four times for Excellent Police Duty and once for Meritorious Police Duty.
McLarney retired on Dec. 31, 2009 and died on Mar. 1, 2012, at the age of 49.
Police Memorial Day was established by Congress in 1962 and proclaimed by President John F. Kennedy in 1963, designating May 15 of each year as Peace Officers Memorial Day in honor of the Federal, State, and municipal officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.
