Barasch & McGarry Remembers NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez on the Sixth Anniversary of his Testimony Before Congress

Today, June 11, we remember the sixth anniversary of NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez testifying in Congress, where he successfully advocated for permanent free health care and compensation benefits for 9/11 victims and their families.

A 9/11 hero, Detective Alvarez appeared before Congress weakened by the colorectal cancer he developed from his exposure to Ground Zero toxins at the World Trade Center site, where he worked with search-and-rescue teams for three months after the terrorist attacks.

Detective Alvarez had already endured 68 brutal rounds of chemotherapy treatments.

He died only 18 days later.

With comedian and 9/11 advocate Jon Stewart, Detective Alvarez called on Congress to honor its promise to “never forget” the 9/11 community members whose contributions to the recovery of New York City were invaluable.

“I will not stand by and watch as my friends with cancer from 9/11 like me are valued less than anyone else because of when they get sick,” he said. “I’m going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders.”

His testimony resounded in the halls of Congress.

With a few weeks, the House of Representatives and the Senate would pass and the President would sign the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.”

The law named for Detective Luis Alvarez will protect the 9/11 community for generations, until 2092.

Alvarez, a native of Havana, Cuba, graduated from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School, East Elmhurst, Queens, before joining the Marines.

He became a member of the New York City Police Department in 1990 and quickly advanced through the ranks – becoming a detective in 1995 and later working undercover.

Detective Alvarez was recognized on multiple occasions for his exemplary work with the NYPD before retiring in 2010.

We will never forget the example of his selfless dedication to the 9/11 community – we take it personally.