Ceremony on Rikers Island honors officers who died from ground zero-related illnesses
The event, which focused on the unsung heroes of the Correction Department, brought together family members and colleagues who continue to grieve their losses.
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Nearly 24 years after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, the impact of that day continues to resonate within the city.
A solemn ceremony was held on Rikers Island Friday to remember the correction officers who died as a result of illnesses linked to their work at ground zero.
The event, which focused on the unsung heroes of the Correction Department, brought together family members and colleagues who continue to grieve their losses.
Brittany Melendez shared the story of her father, Deputy Warden Miguel Melendez, a 32-year veteran of the department who played a pivotal role in the recovery efforts at ground zero.
"He was going back and forth between being at work and going to the towers, unfortunately, collecting the bodies," she said.
Melendez, who spent years inhaling toxic fumes at the site, was later diagnosed with cancer. He retired in 2017 to spend more time with his family, but two years later, he was diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer.
"Trials, clinicals. Many different therapies, different medications, and nothing worked. But when you thought he was going to get better, we took one step forward, and we took three steps back," Melendez recalled.
After a five-year battle with the illness, Deputy Warden Melendez passed away in November 2024, leaving behind his wife and five children.
"He's always been there for me. And it's just a horrible feeling to know that I can't rely on the man who raised me," Melendez said.
The ceremony on Rikers Island honored Melendez, along with 42 other uniformed and non-uniformed staff members who died from 9/11-related illnesses.
At the base of Rikers Island is a podium with everyone's name engraved.
The most recent name was added to the memorial in June.
"I'm very proud that he was courageous enough to go and help. I can't imagine what that's like on one's mental health, but I am very happy to say that that's my father," Melendez said.
As part of the memorial, a bold inscription outside reads: "We Remember. We Were There."
