Former NYPD detective and 9/11 first responder Luis Alvarez dies at 53, just two weeks after appeared in Congress alongside John Stewart demanding more compensation for the heroes at Ground Zero
- Luis Alvarez, 53, died on Saturday following complications caused by his advanced-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis, family members revealed
- Alvarez was diagnosed in 2016, with doctors linking the disease to the three months he spent at Ground Zero, searching for survivors and remains
- His family announced the death in a heart-breaking Facebook post, remarking the time with him to be ‘a blessing’ and branding him ‘a warrior’
- ‘Please remember his words, “Please take care of yourselves and each other,”’ his family urged
A 9/11 responder who earlier this month received a standing ovation when he pleaded with Congress to replenish the September 11th victims fund, has died following a three-year battle with cancer, his family revealed on Saturday.
Retired NYPD detective, Luis Alvarez, 53, gave his final interview on June 20 shortly after revealing his advanced-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis had caused his liver to fail, leaving him days away from death.
Alvarez was diagnosed with the condition in 2016, with doctors linking the disease to the three months he spent at Ground Zero, searching for survivors and remains among the rubble.
His family announced the death in a heart-breaking Facebook post, remarking the time with him to be ‘a blessing’ and branding him ‘a warrior’.
‘Please remember his words, “Please take care of yourselves and each other,”’ his family urged.
‘We told him at the end that he had won this battle by the many lives he had touched by sharing his three year battle. He was at peace with that, surrounded by family. Thank you for giving us this time we have had with him, it was a blessing.’
Luis Alvarez, 53, died on Saturday following complications caused by his advanced-stage colorectal cancer diagnosis, family members revealed on Saturday