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William J. Gawron Sr.
Incident
Captain William Gawron 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.
Captain Gawron had served with the Sayreville Police Department for 30 years. After retirement, he served with the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
September 11, 2001 - The Years After
Captain William J. Gawron Sr. 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 May 4, 2023 - 21 years and 7 months later - of an illness contracted there. He was 69.
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, son, stepson, five brothers, and two granddaughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtp72f4qx68bean2vs7cn- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 26, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at requiem.nw. One record, 2 gates. William is one person.
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Tributes
You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Captain Gawron gave the Sayreville Police Department 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Sayreville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Gawron.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Illness
William is the only officer of Sayreville Police Department remembered here.
William is one of 77 officers lost to illness in NJ, 11.9% of the 647 remembered there.
William is one of 2,028 officers lost to illness in the United States, 7.4% of the 27,552 remembered there.
William 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 2023, 5 officers in NJ were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 24 years on record. The heaviest was 2020, with 20.
In 2023, 60 officers in the United States were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 108 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 564.
In 2023, 63 officers worldwide were lost to illness, the 5th heaviest of 197 years on record. The heaviest was 2021, with 566.
Who
William was 69. Of the 75 lost to illness in NJ whose age is recorded, half were between 47 and 61.5; the middle age was 52. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 23 years.
William was 69. 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. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
William was 69. Of the 2,916 lost to illness worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 39 and 56; the middle age was 49. William had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
When
May holds 10.4% of these deaths in NJ; April holds the most, 16.9%. Thursdays: 20.8%.
May holds 6.2% of these deaths in the United States; October holds the most, 14.9%. Thursdays: 15.7%.
May holds 6.7% of these deaths worldwide; October holds the most, 12.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
How
Illness deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sayreville Police Department. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 100% of these deaths.
Illness deaths account for 11.9% of all 647 deaths in NJ, the 3rd most common cause. The weapon recorded was aircraft; passenger jet, in 42.9% 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.
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
0 officers from Sayreville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.