Names of Fallen Firefighters Honored at FDNY Memorial

On Tuesday, a poignant ceremony took place at the FDNY’s Brooklyn headquarters, where the names of firefighters who succumbed to illnesses related to the 9/11 attacks were added to the World Trade Center Memorial.

The 39 individuals honored included a generation of firefighters who followed in the footsteps of their family members, some fathers who risked their safety without hesitation, and those who defended their fellow first responders in the years after the tragic events of 2001.

Nicole Doherty shared memories about her father, retired Deputy Director Nicholas J. Doherty, recalling that he went straight to the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001, saying, “We didn’t know where he was.” Others from the fire department informed her mother of his safety, having seen him at Ground Zero.

Her father, who served with FDNY for 30 years, passed away on September 20, 2024, at the age of 80.

Another name added to the memorial was Christopher J. Libya. His wife mentioned that he passed away at 9:11 AM on March 26. She felt comforted by the thought that he was now with their son and her husband. Libya had joined FDNY in 1987 and hung up his boots in 2003.

During the ceremony, the names of each fallen FDNY officer were read aloud, accompanied by the sound of bells as families and representatives came forward, placing white roses in tribute. It was an occasion filled with both sorrow and pride, underscored by images of the victims displayed on a screen.

At least 402 firefighters have died due to illnesses linked to their brave actions on 9/11, many succumbing to cancer and respiratory conditions, underscored by the FDNY memorial wall which, prior to this event, had 363 names.

One of the memorial’s honored heroes was 66-year-old firefighter Jose L. Hixon, who rushed to the scene of the Towers’ attack and passed away from cancer on April 9, 2024.

Colonel Thomas S. Labarbiera, who followed family tradition by joining FDNY two months before the attacks, succumbed to cancer on September 1, 2024. He was running in his FDNY T-shirt when informed about the incident on 9/11, after which he quickly grabbed his gear to assist.

Another firefighter, 52-year-old Thomas L. Dunn, passed away in February. He lost his brother Jimmy to a 9/11-related illness in 2017. Dunn had traveled multiple times to Washington, D.C., after retiring to advocate for victims of terrorist attacks.

The ceremony also remembered 77-year-old Lieutenant Colonel James S. Cooney, who died in October 2024. He grew up in a firehouse and spent 25 years with the NYPD. His two sons also serve in the fire department.

Also honored was EMT Anthony S. Cozzino, who joined FDNY in 1997 and retired in 2023 at the age of 51. His wife, Lori, expressed the bittersweet nature of such events, stating, “It’s always overwhelming… it reminds us of what he sacrificed.”

FDNY suffered the loss of 343 members on 9/11, while the NYPD lost 23. Overall, nearly 3,000 people died that day, with more than 45,000 individuals still dealing with the aftereffects of the attacks. Approximately 1,900 are believed to have died from complications related to 9/11.