Unsung DOC heroes who died from 9/11-related illnesses honored at memorial ceremony
The names of three unsung city Department of Correction heroes who rushed into the chaos of the 9/11 attacks were forever etched in history Friday at the agency’s annual remembrance ceremony.Capts.Jacqueline Payden, Raul Gonzalez and Thomas Weadock were memorialized on the department’s Rikers Island memorial stone, joining 39 others who have succumbed to cancers and other 9/11-related illnesses in the nearly 25 years since the terror attacks.Their families were gifted a plaque and a folded American flag in honor of their loved ones’ sacrifice.
“I miss my daughter so much.She was my life.
She was my partner in crime.She was everything to me.
And she died so young, she just turned 50 years old.She had cancer — she didn’t even know she had cancer,” said Daisy Payden through tears.
“We have to stay strong, help out each other, stop being so mean and evil to each other.Just give everybody strength, give everybody love.
Just be thankful that you are here.”A wreath was laid in front of the black stone shrine as part of the annual ceremony honoring the hundreds of DOC heroes who aided in the rescue and recovery efforts on Sept.11, 2001.Mayor Zohran Mamdani described the often-overlooked department as one “where no one hesitates.”“Many have fallen ill from the toxic air, air and they breathed in working day after day, week after week.
And I know that no amount of time will make their loss hurt any little bit less,” Hizzoner said.DOC Investigator Steven Kapczak’s sisters, Annie Caputo and Kathy Penafiel, were at the service to honor their only brother.He was 53 years old when he unexpectedly died in 2013 from a respiratory illness that was linked to his time aiding with 9/11 response and recovery efforts.“He was dedicated to his job.He was out on those streets doing what he did best.
He loved his family and his job just as much.We truly miss him,” said Caputo.“We think of them all the time.
We miss his smile and his laughter and every...