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Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello
Incident
Police Officer Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello died as the result of cancer that she developed following her assignment to assist with search and rescue efforts at the World Trade Center site immediately following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Officer O'Connor-Funigiello had served with the New Rochelle Police Department for 20 years.
September 11, 2001 - The Years After
Police Officer Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello was assigned to the search and recovery at the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. She was 40 years old that fall.
She died on August 16, 2018 - 16 years and 11 months later - of an illness contracted there. She was 56.
She is one of 600 officers honored here, and one of 2 at New Rochelle Police Department.
The most recent of these deaths was October 24, 2025.
Officers who worked the search, rescue, and recovery at the World Trade Center site breathed contaminated air for weeks and months afterward. Many developed cancers and respiratory disease, and they have gone on dying of it ever since.
Seventy-two officers were killed on the morning itself. Hundreds more have died in the years that followed. They are honored here together, because the same attack killed them all. With some it simply took longer.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband, three step-children, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnvc4nws2bd5253r5970- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Kathleen. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Kathleen is one person.
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Tributes
You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Police Officer O'Connor-Funigiello gave the New Rochelle Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Rochelle community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer O'Connor-Funigiello.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
New Rochelle Police Department has lost 10 officers; 2 of them lost to illness.
Kathleen is one of 630 officers lost to illness in NY, 29.5% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Kathleen is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Kathleen is one of 2,979 officers lost to illness worldwide, 8.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2018, 41 officers in NY were lost to illness, the 7th heaviest of 41 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 65.
In 2018, 56 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2018, 57 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 6th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Kathleen was 56. Of the 615 lost to illness in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 61; the middle age was 55. Kathleen had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kathleen was 56. Of the 1,996 lost to illness in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 58; the middle age was 51. Kathleen had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Kathleen was 56. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Kathleen had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
August holds 7.6% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 14%. Thursdays: 15.6%.
August holds 10.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
August holds 9.5% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 20% of all 10 deaths at New Rochelle Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 100% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 29.5% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 83.5% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 7.4% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 29.5% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 8.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 20.1% of these deaths.
Her people
New Rochelle Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Kathleen among them.
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Maurice Ahearn
Jun 20, 1903
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Thomas L. Payne
Sep 23, 1929
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Daniel F. Murphy
Apr 25, 1930
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Timothy Mahoney
May 5, 1930
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William E. Mancusi
Jul 20, 1934
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Allen Bruce McLeod, Sr.
Feb 14, 1977
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John C. Phillips
Oct 1, 1981
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Gary D. Pagano
Sep 14, 1982
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Kathleen O'Connor-Funigiello
Aug 16, 2018
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Mark S. Gado
Sep 16, 2018
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from New Rochelle Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
