9/11 First Responder
He went before Congress to address the House committee on extending compensation by passing the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund bill. A week before he died in 2019, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fund the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund through 2092, permanently compensating individuals who were injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions. Since 2019, over 220 first reponders have passed away.
Luis Gustavo Alvarez was born in October 19, 1965 in Havana, Cuba. After graduating in 1983 from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, he served in the Marines and studied at City College of the City University of New York. He joined the New York Police Department in 1990.
Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, in 1993, he was transferred to the Narcotics Division and promoted to detective two years later. Alvarez spent three months in the World Trade Center rubble after the 2001 attacks. After working undercover as a detective first grade, he sought a less stressful assignment and, in 2004, volunteered for the Bomb Squad.
Mr. Alvarez was recognized five times for excellent police work. He retired in 2010. He later worked for the Department of Homeland Security in a less demanding job, retiring when his illness became too debilitating.
"You made me come here the day before my 69th round of chemo," Mr. Alvarez told the House committee. "I'm going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders."
"I did not want to be anywhere else but ground zero when I was there," Mr. Alvarez told Congress. He added, though: "Now the 9/11 illnesses have taken many of us, and we are all worried about our children, our spouses and our families and what happens if we are not here."
"I have no regrets -- no regrets whatsoever," he said. "9/11 happened. We got called down. It's my job as an NYPD detective to respond to emergencies. So, no hesitation. We went down, spent about three months down there doing the bucket brigade, doing rooftop detail, trying to find remains. I did what every other FDNY, NYPD, EMS worker -- everybody. I'm nobody special. I did what all the other guys did. And now we're paying the price for it."
"I want you to know that my time to leave this world is fast approaching," Alvarez wrote in a note to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "My goal and legacy in this world was to see the VCF bill passed." Alavarez died from the cancer he developed while working at ground zero on Saturday.
Alvarez's family announced his death. "It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today," they wrote. "Please remember his words, 'Please take care of yourselves and each other.' We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle," his family continued. "He was at peace with that, surrounded by family."
The New York Police Department's chief of detectives also paid tribute to Alvarez, He exemplified the NYPD motto, "Fidelis Ad Mortem" or "Faithful Unto Death." Detective Lou Alvarez has lost his battle with 9/11-related cancer. An inspiration, a warrior, a friend—we will carry his sword.
"This city can never repay its debt to Detective Lou Alvarez. It will be my honor to award him with a posthumous Key to the City as a symbol of our profound respect and gratitude for his service and sacrifice," the mayor tweeted Monday.
"He showed us courage of the highest order," de Blasio said later at a police academy graduation ceremony. "He went to Washington to speak a truth he should not have to speak, no matter how much pain he was in.. I don't know why we are still having this discussion in this country. It should have been decided long ago."Our nation needs to take care of those who take care of us. If anyone in Washington has a heart they should feel his voice right now."
A slew of mourners filed by Alvarez's coffin at the Oceanside, LI, funeral home. Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who attended.
Alvarez's coffin was surrounded by flowers arrangements, one of which had "NYPD" spelled out in gold carnations. Pictures of Alvarez during his time with the department hung on the walls.
Friends and family recalled Alvarez as someone who was reserved but passionate about helping others.
"Lou was a very quiet, humble person who was always the first one to help anybody, whether it was at work or in his off time," said longtime friend and retired NYPD Bomb Squad Detective Brian Senft.
Thank you to the Contributor Rhonda Cole #47865677 for sponsoring his Memorial !!!
He went before Congress to address the House committee on extending compensation by passing the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund bill. A week before he died in 2019, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fund the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund through 2092, permanently compensating individuals who were injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions. Since 2019, over 220 first reponders have passed away.
Luis Gustavo Alvarez was born in October 19, 1965 in Havana, Cuba. After graduating in 1983 from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, he served in the Marines and studied at City College of the City University of New York. He joined the New York Police Department in 1990.
Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, in 1993, he was transferred to the Narcotics Division and promoted to detective two years later. Alvarez spent three months in the World Trade Center rubble after the 2001 attacks. After working undercover as a detective first grade, he sought a less stressful assignment and, in 2004, volunteered for the Bomb Squad.
Mr. Alvarez was recognized five times for excellent police work. He retired in 2010. He later worked for the Department of Homeland Security in a less demanding job, retiring when his illness became too debilitating.
"You made me come here the day before my 69th round of chemo," Mr. Alvarez told the House committee. "I'm going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders."
"I did not want to be anywhere else but ground zero when I was there," Mr. Alvarez told Congress. He added, though: "Now the 9/11 illnesses have taken many of us, and we are all worried about our children, our spouses and our families and what happens if we are not here."
"I have no regrets -- no regrets whatsoever," he said. "9/11 happened. We got called down. It's my job as an NYPD detective to respond to emergencies. So, no hesitation. We went down, spent about three months down there doing the bucket brigade, doing rooftop detail, trying to find remains. I did what every other FDNY, NYPD, EMS worker -- everybody. I'm nobody special. I did what all the other guys did. And now we're paying the price for it."
"I want you to know that my time to leave this world is fast approaching," Alvarez wrote in a note to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "My goal and legacy in this world was to see the VCF bill passed." Alavarez died from the cancer he developed while working at ground zero on Saturday.
Alvarez's family announced his death. "It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today," they wrote. "Please remember his words, 'Please take care of yourselves and each other.' We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle," his family continued. "He was at peace with that, surrounded by family."
The New York Police Department's chief of detectives also paid tribute to Alvarez, He exemplified the NYPD motto, "Fidelis Ad Mortem" or "Faithful Unto Death." Detective Lou Alvarez has lost his battle with 9/11-related cancer. An inspiration, a warrior, a friend—we will carry his sword.
"This city can never repay its debt to Detective Lou Alvarez. It will be my honor to award him with a posthumous Key to the City as a symbol of our profound respect and gratitude for his service and sacrifice," the mayor tweeted Monday.
"He showed us courage of the highest order," de Blasio said later at a police academy graduation ceremony. "He went to Washington to speak a truth he should not have to speak, no matter how much pain he was in.. I don't know why we are still having this discussion in this country. It should have been decided long ago."Our nation needs to take care of those who take care of us. If anyone in Washington has a heart they should feel his voice right now."
A slew of mourners filed by Alvarez's coffin at the Oceanside, LI, funeral home. Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who attended.
Alvarez's coffin was surrounded by flowers arrangements, one of which had "NYPD" spelled out in gold carnations. Pictures of Alvarez during his time with the department hung on the walls.
Friends and family recalled Alvarez as someone who was reserved but passionate about helping others.
"Lou was a very quiet, humble person who was always the first one to help anybody, whether it was at work or in his off time," said longtime friend and retired NYPD Bomb Squad Detective Brian Senft.
Thank you to the Contributor Rhonda Cole #47865677 for sponsoring his Memorial !!!
9/11 First Responder
He went before Congress to address the House committee on extending compensation by passing the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund bill. A week before he died in 2019, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fund the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund through 2092, permanently compensating individuals who were injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions. Since 2019, over 220 first reponders have passed away.
Luis Gustavo Alvarez was born in October 19, 1965 in Havana, Cuba. After graduating in 1983 from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, he served in the Marines and studied at City College of the City University of New York. He joined the New York Police Department in 1990.
Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, in 1993, he was transferred to the Narcotics Division and promoted to detective two years later. Alvarez spent three months in the World Trade Center rubble after the 2001 attacks. After working undercover as a detective first grade, he sought a less stressful assignment and, in 2004, volunteered for the Bomb Squad.
Mr. Alvarez was recognized five times for excellent police work. He retired in 2010. He later worked for the Department of Homeland Security in a less demanding job, retiring when his illness became too debilitating.
"You made me come here the day before my 69th round of chemo," Mr. Alvarez told the House committee. "I'm going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders."
"I did not want to be anywhere else but ground zero when I was there," Mr. Alvarez told Congress. He added, though: "Now the 9/11 illnesses have taken many of us, and we are all worried about our children, our spouses and our families and what happens if we are not here."
"I have no regrets -- no regrets whatsoever," he said. "9/11 happened. We got called down. It's my job as an NYPD detective to respond to emergencies. So, no hesitation. We went down, spent about three months down there doing the bucket brigade, doing rooftop detail, trying to find remains. I did what every other FDNY, NYPD, EMS worker -- everybody. I'm nobody special. I did what all the other guys did. And now we're paying the price for it."
"I want you to know that my time to leave this world is fast approaching," Alvarez wrote in a note to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "My goal and legacy in this world was to see the VCF bill passed." Alavarez died from the cancer he developed while working at ground zero on Saturday.
Alvarez's family announced his death. "It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today," they wrote. "Please remember his words, 'Please take care of yourselves and each other.' We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle," his family continued. "He was at peace with that, surrounded by family."
The New York Police Department's chief of detectives also paid tribute to Alvarez, He exemplified the NYPD motto, "Fidelis Ad Mortem" or "Faithful Unto Death." Detective Lou Alvarez has lost his battle with 9/11-related cancer. An inspiration, a warrior, a friend—we will carry his sword.
"This city can never repay its debt to Detective Lou Alvarez. It will be my honor to award him with a posthumous Key to the City as a symbol of our profound respect and gratitude for his service and sacrifice," the mayor tweeted Monday.
"He showed us courage of the highest order," de Blasio said later at a police academy graduation ceremony. "He went to Washington to speak a truth he should not have to speak, no matter how much pain he was in.. I don't know why we are still having this discussion in this country. It should have been decided long ago."Our nation needs to take care of those who take care of us. If anyone in Washington has a heart they should feel his voice right now."
A slew of mourners filed by Alvarez's coffin at the Oceanside, LI, funeral home. Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who attended.
Alvarez's coffin was surrounded by flowers arrangements, one of which had "NYPD" spelled out in gold carnations. Pictures of Alvarez during his time with the department hung on the walls.
Friends and family recalled Alvarez as someone who was reserved but passionate about helping others.
"Lou was a very quiet, humble person who was always the first one to help anybody, whether it was at work or in his off time," said longtime friend and retired NYPD Bomb Squad Detective Brian Senft.
Thank you to the Contributor Rhonda Cole #47865677 for sponsoring his Memorial !!!
He went before Congress to address the House committee on extending compensation by passing the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund bill. A week before he died in 2019, Congress overwhelmingly passed the Never Forget the Heroes Act, to fund the September 11th Victims Compensation Fund through 2092, permanently compensating individuals who were injured during the 2001 terrorist attacks and their aftermath rescuing people and removing debris under hazardous conditions. Since 2019, over 220 first reponders have passed away.
Luis Gustavo Alvarez was born in October 19, 1965 in Havana, Cuba. After graduating in 1983 from Monsignor McClancy Memorial High School in the East Elmhurst neighborhood, he served in the Marines and studied at City College of the City University of New York. He joined the New York Police Department in 1990.
Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, in 1993, he was transferred to the Narcotics Division and promoted to detective two years later. Alvarez spent three months in the World Trade Center rubble after the 2001 attacks. After working undercover as a detective first grade, he sought a less stressful assignment and, in 2004, volunteered for the Bomb Squad.
Mr. Alvarez was recognized five times for excellent police work. He retired in 2010. He later worked for the Department of Homeland Security in a less demanding job, retiring when his illness became too debilitating.
"You made me come here the day before my 69th round of chemo," Mr. Alvarez told the House committee. "I'm going to make sure that you never forget to take care of the 9/11 responders."
"I did not want to be anywhere else but ground zero when I was there," Mr. Alvarez told Congress. He added, though: "Now the 9/11 illnesses have taken many of us, and we are all worried about our children, our spouses and our families and what happens if we are not here."
"I have no regrets -- no regrets whatsoever," he said. "9/11 happened. We got called down. It's my job as an NYPD detective to respond to emergencies. So, no hesitation. We went down, spent about three months down there doing the bucket brigade, doing rooftop detail, trying to find remains. I did what every other FDNY, NYPD, EMS worker -- everybody. I'm nobody special. I did what all the other guys did. And now we're paying the price for it."
"I want you to know that my time to leave this world is fast approaching," Alvarez wrote in a note to Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. "My goal and legacy in this world was to see the VCF bill passed." Alavarez died from the cancer he developed while working at ground zero on Saturday.
Alvarez's family announced his death. "It is with peace and comfort, that the Alvarez family announce that Luis (Lou) Alvarez, our warrior, has gone home to our Good Lord in heaven today," they wrote. "Please remember his words, 'Please take care of yourselves and each other.' We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle," his family continued. "He was at peace with that, surrounded by family."
The New York Police Department's chief of detectives also paid tribute to Alvarez, He exemplified the NYPD motto, "Fidelis Ad Mortem" or "Faithful Unto Death." Detective Lou Alvarez has lost his battle with 9/11-related cancer. An inspiration, a warrior, a friend—we will carry his sword.
"This city can never repay its debt to Detective Lou Alvarez. It will be my honor to award him with a posthumous Key to the City as a symbol of our profound respect and gratitude for his service and sacrifice," the mayor tweeted Monday.
"He showed us courage of the highest order," de Blasio said later at a police academy graduation ceremony. "He went to Washington to speak a truth he should not have to speak, no matter how much pain he was in.. I don't know why we are still having this discussion in this country. It should have been decided long ago."Our nation needs to take care of those who take care of us. If anyone in Washington has a heart they should feel his voice right now."
A slew of mourners filed by Alvarez's coffin at the Oceanside, LI, funeral home. Mayor Bill de Blasio was among those who attended.
Alvarez's coffin was surrounded by flowers arrangements, one of which had "NYPD" spelled out in gold carnations. Pictures of Alvarez during his time with the department hung on the walls.
Friends and family recalled Alvarez as someone who was reserved but passionate about helping others.
"Lou was a very quiet, humble person who was always the first one to help anybody, whether it was at work or in his off time," said longtime friend and retired NYPD Bomb Squad Detective Brian Senft.
Thank you to the Contributor Rhonda Cole #47865677 for sponsoring his Memorial !!!
