DETECTIVE LOST TO 9/11 ILLNESS

Det. Kevin Czartoryski Det. Kevin Czartoryski, a retired member of the NYPD and a Maspeth native, died on Sunday, Dec. 5 at the age of 46 following a long battle with illnesses contracted from his work at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

Best remembered for helping to improve relations with the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community (LGBT) as an NYPD liaison, Czartoryski died while hospitalized at New York Presbyterian Hospital- Weill Cornell Medical Center in Manhattan. Reportedly, he was suffering from pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer at the time of his death.

According to the New York Daily News, the NYPD medical board found that Czartoryski became ill as a result of his efforts at the site of the World Trade Center in the days and weeks following the terrorist attack that brought down the twin towers. Reportedly, the veteran of the department searched for remains and worked at a temporary morgue.

Czartoryski (pronounced chot-torris kee) joined the NYPD in 1988 and was formerly assigned to the Queens Narcotics Unit and the Hate Crimes Task Force. Following his work at Ground Zero, he was assigned to the NYPD Office of the Deputy Commissioner for Public Information, where he communicated with members of the media on a regular basis.

Additionally, the detective served as the commissioner’s liaison to the LGBT community, working to build greater relations and involvement. Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly credited Czartoryski for helping to build a strong channel of communication. Among the events he participated in include the St. Pat’s For All Parade in Sunnyside and Woodside, which he attended regularly.

“He was a consummate professional and a cheerful bridge for understanding who will be missed terribly,” Kelly said in a statement.

The first-grade detective was forced to leave the NYPD on disability after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a disease in which excess scar tissue grows in the lungs. The condition became so bad that Czartoryski underwent a single lung transplant in May of this year.

Though his condition improved slightly following the procedure, in August things took a turn for the worse. Reportedly, doctors then found cancer in Czartoryski’s lungs that had also spread to his bones and stomach.

The detective is recognized as the 30th member of the NYPD to have died from illnesses related to work at World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks.

Czartoryski was unmarried and is survived by his sisters Patricia Czartoryski and Diane Ballek, president of the 108th Precinct Community Council and local chief of staff to Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

“We are very sad,” said Ira Greenberg, president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, who is a family friend of Ballek and Czartoryski. “This is a loss for everyone. Let us all pray for the family.”

A wake for Czartoryski was held on Tuesday, Dec. 7 and Wednesday, Dec. 8, at Village Chapels, located at 67-67 Eliot Ave. in Middle Village. A funeral Mass will be held this morning (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at St. Raphael’s Church, located at 35-20 Greenpoint Ave. in Long Island City, followed by interment in nearby Calvary Cemetery in Woodside.