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John Joseph McCauley
Incident
Supervising Fire Marshal Jack McCauley died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks.
Supervising Fire Marshal McCauley had served with the New York City Fire Department for 29 years and served with the New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation for 24 years.
September 11, 2001 - The Years After
Supervising Fire Marshal John Joseph McCauley was assigned to the search and recovery at the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. He was 45 years old that fall.
He died on May 28, 2022 - 20 years and 8 months later - of an illness contracted there. He was 65.
He is one of 600 officers honored here.
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
He is survived by his wife, four children, and eight grandchildren.
Biography
Supervising Fire Marshal Jack McCauley died as the result of cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 Terrorist Attacks. Supervising Fire Marshal McCauley had served with the New York City Fire Department for 29 years and served with the New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation for 24 years. He was awarded the rank of supervising fire marshal in 1990 and retired in 2008. Following his retirement, he spent his time traveling with his wife and friends, being with his grandchildren, and volunteering at the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He was also a licensed ham radio operator, a notary public, and an avid player of Evony on his iPad. He was known for his sense of humor, generosity, willingness to help all, his ability to command and execute in difficult situations, and dedication to his family. The oldest of nine children, he is survived by his wife, Gail, his four children, and eleven grandchildren.
QNBAS
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp5xmpj6vxnc692h5dha- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 27, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at ladder.nw, requiem.nw. One record, 3 gates. John is one person.
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Tributes
You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Supervising Fire Marshal McCauley gave the New York City Fire Department 29 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Supervising Fire Marshal McCauley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation has lost 3 officers; 1 of them lost to illness.
John is one of 630 officers lost to illness in NY, 29.5% of the 2,132 remembered there.
John is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John 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 2022, 45 officers in NY were lost to illness, the 3rd heaviest of 41 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 65.
In 2022, 135 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2022, 140 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 4th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
John was 65. Of the 615 lost to illness in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 61; the middle age was 55. John had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 65. 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. John had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
John was 65. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. John had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 14%. Saturdays: 14.6%.
May holds 6.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
May holds 6.7% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 33.3% of all 3 deaths at New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation, the 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.
His people
New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation has 3 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial · Panel 1 Top
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall · National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial — requiem.nw →
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from New York City Fire Department - Bureau of Fire Investigation are honored on badge.nw.
