James Zadroga

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President Obama signs the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 on January 2, 2011 in Hawaii.
9/11 memorial in the grounds of the James Zadroga Soccer Field .

James Zadroga (* 1971 - January 5, 2006 ) was an American police officer . He is considered to be the first victim of the thick cloud of dust and asbestos that spread over Manhattan after the twin towers of the World Trade Center collapsed .

James Zadroga was a detective in 2001 in the Manhattan South Homicide Task Force , an elite homicide unit in the New York City Police Department (NYPD). After the 9/11 attacks , Zadroga was one of the first rescuers on the morning of 9/11 , 2001. He helped rescue survivors and was involved in the evacuation of the burning World Trade Center 7 . In the first four weeks after the attack, Zadroga supported the rescue and clean-up work for up to 16 hours a day. A few months later he fell ill. He complained of a cough and a sore throat. The doctor diagnosed pneumonia . After a few months, he needed medical treatment and oxygen to breathe.

In June 2004 he took early retirement after 13 years of service. However, the city was no longer willing to pay its medical expenses. On January 5, 2006, Zadroga died of lung disease. Zadroga was one of the forces on September 11 who was killed by dust and smoke at Ground Zero . His death sparked a heated debate after the city medical practitioner found no direct link with 9/11 and attributed the death to drugs. It was only posthumously in 2007 that the city medical examiner confirmed a connection between Zadroga's selfless work at Ground Zero and his lung disease. His death could therefore be based on contact with toxic chemicals during the 2001 rescue work. Traces of the highly toxic heavy metal mercury were found in his brain , also an aftereffect to health from September 11th. Zadroga left a four-year-old daughter. He was honored with a total of 31 awards and medals for his work as a police officer.

The James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Law for financial compensation for those affected by September 11th, sought by the Democrats , took years through the US Congress . It was especially delayed by the Republicans . In December 2010 the Senate was supposed to vote on an updated version, but the law was thwarted by the Republicans. In return, they called for tax breaks for higher earners. The financial framework of the law has been reduced from originally planned 7.4 billion US dollars (around five billion euros ) to 4.3 billion US dollars. In addition, an FBI check for a terrorist background would have to be carried out among the rescue services. Only then did the Republicans approve the law. US President Barack Obama signed the bill on January 2, 2011 while on vacation in Hawaii . In Zadroga's hometown of North Arlington , New Jersey , a sports field was named after him and two memorials were erected for him.

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personal data
SURNAME Zadroga, James
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American policeman
DATE OF BIRTH 1971
DATE OF DEATH January 5, 2006