Duty Death: Steven Bonano - [New York]
End of Service: 18/01/2015
By Police1 Staff
NEW YORK — A deputy chief of the NYPD died Saturday from a rare type of blood cancer he is believed to have developed as a result of his time at Ground Zero.
The NY Daily News reports 53-year-old Deputy Chief Steven Bonano served as commander of the NYPD’s Emergency Service Unit and worked the scene at Ground Zero for weeks in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.
The 30-year veteran of the NYPD was awarded the department’s second-highest honor, the Police Combat Cross, during his time on the force.
Over 900 first responders have succumbed to illnesses believed to be related to their time at Ground Zero, according to the report.