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Thomas J. Graham Jr.
Incident
Investigator Thomas Graham 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.
Investigator Graham had served with the New York State Environmental Conservation Police for 29 years.
September 11, 2001 - The Years After
Investigator Thomas J. Graham Jr. was assigned to the search and recovery at the World Trade Center site after September 11, 2001. He was 48 years old that fall.
He died on September 21, 2013 - 12 years later - of an illness contracted there. He was 60.
He is one of 600 officers honored here, and one of 5 at New York State Environmental Conservation Police.
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 and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp674k40f29amn47s17a- 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 Thomas. Claim this record.
Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. Thomas is one person.
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Tributes
You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Investigator Graham gave the New York State Environmental Conservation Police 29 years.
Thank you for your service to the Albany community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Graham.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
New York State Environmental Conservation Police has lost 18 officers; 7 of them lost to illness.
Thomas is one of 630 officers lost to illness in NY, 29.5% of the 2,132 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas 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 2013, 1 officer at New York State Environmental Conservation Police was lost to illness, more than in any other year.
In 2013, 18 officers in NY were lost to illness, the 13th heaviest of 41 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 65.
In 2013, 24 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 14th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2013, 26 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 16th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
Thomas was 60. Of the 7 lost to illness at New York State Environmental Conservation Police whose age is recorded, half were between 52 and 66; the middle age was 60. Thomas had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 29 years.
Thomas was 60. Of the 615 lost to illness in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 48.5 and 61; the middle age was 55. Thomas had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Thomas was 60. 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. Thomas had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Thomas was 60. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. Thomas had served 29 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
September holds 28.6% of these deaths at New York State Environmental Conservation Police, more than any other month. Saturdays: 42.9%.
September holds 7.3% of these deaths in NY; October holds the most, 14%. Saturdays: 14.6%.
September holds 11.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
September holds 9.8% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Saturdays: 14.8%.
How
Illness deaths account for 38.9% of all 18 deaths at New York State Environmental Conservation Police, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 85.7% 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 State Environmental Conservation Police has 18 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
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Samuel S. Taylor
Apr 6, 1914
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Frederick T. Schmidt Nov 10, 1919
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John H. Woodruff
Nov 27, 1919
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Harvey B. Cruikshank
Jun 8, 1926
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William T. Cramer
Sep 29, 1929
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Paul DuCuennois
Oct 16, 1932
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Charles William Gaffney
Nov 16, 1934
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Lawrence Kessler
Nov 26, 1935
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Clarence Joseph Webster
Nov 16, 1944
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Paul N. Campbell
Nov 8, 1958
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Benning W. De La Mater
Jun 24, 1961
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William F. Becker
Mar 11, 1981
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Thomas J. Graham, Jr.
Sep 21, 2013
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Paul C. Adam
Sep 8, 2015
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Stephen Lawrence Raymond
Apr 17, 2017
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Lawrence E. Cabana
Aug 6, 2022
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David J. McShane
Jan 23, 2024
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Ronald John Bosela
Feb 27, 2026
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from New York State Environmental Conservation Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
