This is bad-9/11 related

[GeorgeWendtCFI]

This was a flash on www.nj.com

Union: Retired police officer's death linked to Sept. 11 cleanup
1/7/2006, 1:30 p.m. ET
The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — A retired, 34-year-old city police officer from New Jersey who spent hundreds of hours searching for Sept. 11 victims at ground zero has died of respiratory disease related to the cleanup, union officials said.

James Zadroga, who retired as a detective from Manhattan's South Homicide task force in 2004, is the first emergency responder to die as a result of exposure to World Trade Center dust and debris, said Michael Palladino, president of the Detectives' Endowment Association.

"Although James is the first, unfortunately I do not think he is going to be the last," Palladino said Saturday.

Zadroga died Thursday at his home in Little Egg Harbor, N.J., officials said. Results of an autopsy conducted by the Ocean County medical examiner's office were pending.

But Zadroga had developed black lung disease and mercury on the brain as a result of working at ground zero, Palladino said. Zadroga spent 470 hours in the first month after the Sept. 11, 2001, collapse of the trade center in rescue and recovery efforts, working up to 16 hours a day at the site, Palladino said.

He developed shortness of breath and other respiratory problems in the months after the attacks, and retired on disability in 2004.

A majority of residents and ground zero workers tracked by several different registries monitoring the participants' health have reported worsening respiratory problems in the years since the attacks.

Zadroga, a 13-year veteran of the force, is survived by a 4-year-old daughter, his parents and a brother. A wake was scheduled Sunday and Monday and a funeral Mass on Tuesday in North Arlington, N.J.

[martinm]

My sympathies and condolences go out to the family of this fallen officer and his other family of the NYPD. As has been said already, its possible that he will be the first of many to sucumb to illness and ailments following protracted exposure to the airborne contaminents created by such an incident.

[E40FDNYL35]

Rest in Peace -- Never Forget

[RspctFrmCalgary]

Sleep with angels, James

We will never forget!

[pfd4life]

Rest In Peace brother...

Not to argue, but wasn't their an EMT from FDNY EMS that died a short time back too, due to conditions at GZ?

To everyone in the FDNY/NYPD/PAPD take care of yourselves..I hope this doesn't effect anyone else.

[ChiefReason]

I only hope that some type of trust has been set up for any future medical claims that results from exposure at Ground Zero.
Unfortunately, I believe that we are going to see the effects for years to come.
But I hope not.
CR

[arhaney]

Rest In Peace......

[E40FDNYL35]

January 8, 2006 -- As the father of a retired NYPD detective prepares to bury his son, he insisted yesterday that the former cop died because of his work at Ground Zero - and that he was abandoned by the Police Department he used to love. James Zadroga, 34, died Thursday of brain and respiratory ailments that his family and union believe were caused by his assignment at the World Trade Center cleanup. His father, Joseph, a retired New Jersey police chief, says the NYPD turned its back on James, refusing to acknowledge the cause of death or pay his $50,000 medical bills. Autopsy results are pending, but NYPD officials said Zadroga was given a tax-free disability pension in 2004 and was responsible for his bills after leaving the department. "What I worry most about is his daughter," said Joseph, who is now caring for 4-year-old Tylerann. "She has been dealt a very tough hand."
The child's mother is also dead.
James Zadroga's wake will be 1 p.m.-5 p.m. today and 2 p.m.-4 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. tomorrow at Armitage Funeral Parlor in Kearny, N.J. A funeral Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Queen of Peace Church in North Arlington, N.J.

[DaSharkie]

Hey E40FDNYL35,

I thought I have read a few articles about some firefighters and FDNY EMS members that have died or been forced to be medically retired due to the prolonged exposures at the WTC.

I am sure that there will be more, unfortunately.

[E40FDNYL35]

Hey E40FDNYL35,

I thought I have read a few articles about some firefighters and FDNY EMS members that have died or been forced to be medically retired due to the prolonged exposures at the WTC.

I am sure that there will be more, unfortunately.

You are right there were others.

[Pipeman2]

GOD Bless him and his Family..

[ccfdblehman]

Rest in peace. We could only hope that he will be the last.

[fdsq10]

May the Lord God Almighty be with the Family and the members of NYPD. REST IN PEACE.