9 Get Union Awards
DIAs Honor WTC Casualty

By REUVEN BLAU

A decorated investigator who died from ailments related to his work at Ground Zero was among the nine veteran officers honored by the Detectives Investigators Association during the union's first-ever award ceremony on Nov. 7.

The Chief-Leader/Adrienne Haywood-James HONORING THE 'SECRET WEAPON': The Detective Investigators Association Nov. 7 posthumously awarded Senior Investigator Farid Ghushin the Medal of Honor at the union's award ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Brooklyn. Mr. Ghushin, who worked for the Manhattan DA's Office, died of cancer-related ailments linked to his work at Ground Zero. From left are DIA President John M. Fleming, Mr. Ghushin's sons, Dean and Gary, daughter Miriam, widow, Khalida, and daughter, Tesmniem.

Farid Ghushin, who was posthumously cited, worked on major investigations including the first World Trade Center attack, the assassination of activist Rabbi Meir Kahane, the murder of yeshiva student Ari Halberstam, and the Enron and Tyco cases. The Senior Investigator was once called the Manhattan District Attorney's secret weapon.

Toxic Exposure Fatal

He also worked in the rescue and recovery effort at Ground Zero. In 2005, he was diagnosed with cancer, which the New York City Employees' Retirement System ruled was caused by his exposure to toxins at the site.

He was the first Police Officer to be awarded a disability pension as a result of his work in and around Ground Zero, according to the DIA.

Mr. Ghushin began his career as an officer on the streets of Jerusalem in the Israeli police force. He moved to New York, where he worked on his English as a shortorder cook in Manhattan.

After becoming a U.S. citizen, he got a job with the city's Department of Investigation. In 1990, he was hired by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, where his ability to speak Hebrew and Arabic led to his assignment to many highprofile cases.

On 9/11, Mr. Ghushin was at work in the Manhattan DA's Office, about a halfmile from the World Trade Center. He immediately volunteered to help those injured at the scene and later worked feverishly reviewing phone taps and tracking possible Al Qaeda sleeper cells, the DIA said.

Went Beyond Duties

Mr. Ghushin's family received the Medal of Honor at the morning ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Brooklyn.

"His efforts were beyond the call of normal duty and were done at great risk to his personal safety and comfort," said DIA President John M. Fleming.

The union represents 302 Investigators who are duly appointed peace officers who work for the five District Attorneys' Offices and the Special Narcotics Prosecutor's Office.

"This awards ceremony is a way to recognize the outstanding work our members do in solving some very tough cases," Mr. Fleming remarked.

The other award winners included Detective Investigator Robert Addonizio and Senior DI Salvatore Novellino, who received commendations. DIs Efrain Alvarado, Jamie Figueroa, and Lieut. Theodore Wess were honored with the Exceptional Merit Award. Merrybeth Talavares and Stanley Schiffman from the Bronx District Attorney's Office received the Meritorious Award. DI Matthew Spano from the Staten Island DA's Office was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.