By Joanna Putman
Police1
NEW YORK — Former NYPD Chief of Department Joe Esposito has died at 73, WABC reported.
Mayor Eric Adams announced Esposito’s death via a post on X, in which he described Esposito as “the definition of public service.”
“He served his city on our darkest days and brightest moments,” he shared. “In recent years, Joe continued his service as deputy commissioner of the Department of Buildings while battling cancer.”
Esposito served as an NYPD officer and rose through the ranks to become the longest-serving chief of department in the NYPD’s history, according to the report.
After his tenure as chief of department, Esposito served as commissioner of New York City Emergency Management from 2014 to 2019 and as the deputy commissioner of the Department of Buildings.
Esposito will be remembered for his role in leading the NYPD through times of difficulty, like the aftermath of the 9/11 terror attacks and Super Storm Sandy, according to the report.
“He worked hard for his city, right up to the end. And he left it a better place,” Mayor Adams stated.