NYPD Immortalizes 11 More On Wall Of Heroes
Among Those Honored, Det. James Zadroga, Who Died From Illnesses Related To His Work At Ground Zero

http://mail.google.com/mail/?hl=en&tab=nm#inbox/119c3e5dd2cf73d7

Reporting
Don Dahler NEW YORK (CBS) ― There was a poignant and emotional ceremony Wednesday, as 11 names were added to the New York City Police Department's Wall of Heroes.

Three were officers shot in the line of duty, but eight others died from illnesses linked to their time spent at ground zero in the weeks following the 9/11 attacks.

Detective Russel Timoshenko and auxiliary officers Eugene Marshalik and Nicholas Pekearo were added to the Wall after they were gunned down while on the job.

"These are the kind of police officers who transformed New York into the safest big city in America," NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly said.

But it was a beautiful, clear morning, not unlike Wednesday morning, 6 ½ years ago, when eight of these officers gave their lives.

Among those remembered Wednesday were eight officers who died from illnesses directly related to their service on Sept. 11 and the weeks that followed.

"These brave men risked everything and helped lift our nation back onto its feet during its time of greatest need," Mayor Michael Bloomberg said.

They officers honored Wednesday were Thomas Brophy, James Godbee, Angelo Peluso and Ronald Weintraub. The detectives were Kevin Hawkins, Robert Williamson, John Young and James Zadroga.

For Zadroga's parents, and his 6-year-old daughter, the honor was a vindication of sorts.

"I'm feeling very proud for my son," father Joseph Zadroga said. "I feel that he's finally being honored for his dedicated work that he did for the city of New York."

It's a sentiment Godbee's family shares.

"(We) finally got it," Michelle Haskett-Godbee said. "We fought long and hard for this and finally get recognized for his service for the city."

Kelly said the pain of 9/11 never goes away, and is brought back whenever a fallen officer is honored.

"In the history of the New York City Police Department, there has never been a day like Sept. 11th," Kelly said. "In the space of a few short hours, we lost 23 officers. But the truth is we continue to suffer losses because the toll did not end that day."

That day continues to take a toll on the city and the families.

It's not just police officers who are suffering from the effects of their work at ground zero. Of the 70,000 people taking part in Mount Sinai Medical Center's World Trade Center health study, 85 percent have some kind of respiratory problem.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)