Michael W. Ryan

In memory of

Died: November 5, 2007, aged 41
Died of it afterward: The Years After

Also kept at

Sergeant Michael Ryan died of three different forms of aggressive non-Hodgkin's lymphoma he contracted after inhaling toxic chemicals and materials while working hundreds of hours at Ground Zero, the site of the World Trade Center terrorist attack of September 11, 2001.

Following the attack, Sergeant Ryan worked 70 to 80 hours a week at Ground Zero for several months. He was diagnosed with his first cancer, which was caused by prolonged exposure to volatile organic compounds cataloged at Ground Zero in May 2006. He died on November 5, 2007, as a result of cancer.

Sergeant Ryan served with the New York City Police Department for 20 years.

You walked into it and it took years to finish the job.
Sergeant Ryan gave the New York City Police Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Ryan.
S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Survived by

He is survived by his wife (a retired New York City police officer) and his four children.

Everyone taken by The Years After →