8 Victims of 9/11 Illnesses Placed on NYPD Memorial; 7 Auxiliary Cops Honored

The etched names of eight police officers who died from 9/11-related illnesses were unveiled to family members at the New York City Police Memorial Wall, which lists those killed in the line-of-duty, in a somber ceremony Oct. 13 in Battery Park City. Also honored were eight other fallen officers, seven of them Auxiliary Police Officers.

The Chief-Leader/Michel Friang THE NAMES GO ON FOREVER: Two Police Officers examine the NYPD Memorial Wall after an Oct. 13 ceremony marking the addition of the names of nine police officers and seven auxiliary cops.

'They Tell New York's Story'

"The greatness of our city is reflected in these names from Thomas Lynch in 1849 to the 16 men we add this year," Mayor Bloomberg said with his back to the Police Memorial Wall. "They tell the story of New York: Its struggles and victories ... and its transformation from a capital of violence and crime to the safest big city in America."

The Mayor praised four Detectives and four Police Officers who died from Ground Zero-related illnesses. "These brave men risked everything, and helped lift our nation back onto its feet during our time of greatest need," he said. "But even before they answered the call on 9/11 — these men had long and distinguished careers in precincts throughout the city."

The Chief-Leader/Michel Friang 'A SOBER DAY': Police Officer Charlie Ryan, who worked at the same precinct as Det. Russel Timoshenko, stands with his mother, Tatyana Timoshenko, following the unveiling of the murdered cop's name on the NYPD Memorial Wall. 'It's a little unreal,' Officer Ryan said after seeing his late colleague's name inscribed.

Det. Kevin G. Hawkins died May 7, 2007 of a 9/11-related illness after serving more than 20 years with the department, working in the 17th Precinct, the Executive Protection Unit of the Intelligence Division and the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Task force. He was recognized three times for excellent police duty and meritorious service.

Det. Robert W. Williamson died six days later of a 9/11-related illness after working for 20 years with the Patrol Borough Manhattan South Anti-Crime unit. He made 203 felony arrests, and was recognized 38 times in his career for excellent police duty and meritorious service.

Det. John T. Young died in February 2007 of 9/11-related illness after serving 20 years on the job. He worked in the Midtown South Precinct, as well as the 34th and 50th Precincts. He made 203 felony arrests and received eight recognitions for excellent police duty and two for meritorious service in his career. He worked at both the World Trade Center site and the Fresh Kills Landfill in Staten Island.

Zadroga Honored

Det. James Zadroga died in January 2006 of a 9/11-related illness after serving nearly 11 years with the department. He worked in the 6th Precinct and the 25th Precinct Detective squad, as well as the Detective Borough Manhattan South Homicide Task force, the Street Crime Unit and Patrol Borough Bronx Anti-Crime unit. Detective Zadroga made 136 felony arrests and received 31 recognitions for excellent police duty and seven for meritorious service.

Police Officer Angelo Peluso died in May 2006 of a 9/11-related illness. He served for over 18 years, in the Department's 10th Precinct, the Detective Bureau Criminal Identification Unit, the NYPD Photo Unit and the License Division. He received two excellent police duty citations, and two meritorious service recognitions.

Police Officer James J. Godbee died in December 2004 of a 9/11-related illness after 18 years of service in the 28th Precinct and Manhattan Housing Borough. He was recognized three times in his career for meritorious service. In addition to working at the World Trade Center site, he held several posts in Lower Manhattan.

Police Officer Ronald E. Weintraub died in November 2005 of a 9/11-related illness after 15 years with the department. He worked in the Midtown South Precinct, and he was recognized five times in his career for excellent police duty and meritorious service.

Police Officer Thomas G. Brophy died in April 2005 of 9/11-related illness after 11 years of service in the 114th and 109th Precincts and the Fleet Services Division. He received recognition for excellent police duty. In addition to working at Ground Zero, he held several posts in Lower Manhattan.

"Today we gather at this beautiful memorial just blocks from the largest rescue and recovery effort in history at the World Trade Center on 9/11," said Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly at the ceremony. Noting that 23 NYPD officers were killed that day, he added, "Still more officers spent weeks out on the pile and at Fresh Kills; tragically that work was not without peril."

The ceremony also honored slain Det. Russel Timoshenko, who died July 14, 2007 after being shot at close range five days earlier during an attempted car stop in Brooklyn. He and his partner, Det. Herman Yan, were approaching an SUV with stolen plates when they were fired upon.

Police Officer Charlie Ryan was there with Detective Timoshenko's mother, Tatyana, and a few other family members. "It's a sober day for the NYPD," he said after the ceremony. "It's unfortunate that that wall is packed with names." P.O. Ryan, who works in the same precinct as Detective Timoshenko, added upon seeing the wall unveiled, "It's a little unreal, a little surreal."

Auxiliary Cops Inscribed

Auxiliary Police Officers, dating back to 1975, were also given a space on the wall of heroes. Among those whose names were inscribed were Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas T. Pekearo, who were murdered in March 2007 while pursuing a deranged gunman who had just shot and killed a pizzeria employee in Greenwich Village.

Auxiliary Police Sgts. Larry Cohen and Noel Faide served as volunteer police officers for six and 17 years, respectively, when they were struck and killed by a vehicle on the New England Thruway during an investigation of an abandoned automobile in January 1989.

Auxiliary Police Officer Milton Clarke was off duty at his place of work on Dec. 1, 1993 when he heard and ran toward the sound of gunfire in the 47th Precinct. He was shot in the chest by the gunman and died.

Auxiliary Police Sgt. David Freed was on patrol in Central Park when an emotionally disturbed person attacked him and his partner, fatally injuring him. Auxiliary Police Sgt. David Freed was struck repeatedly with a baton and died as a result of his injuries in September 1975.

Auxiliary Police Officer Armando Rosario was off duty when he witnessed a gunpoint robbery in the 46th Precinct. Officer Rosario followed the perpetrator on foot and was shot three times. He died in March 1992.