N.Y. Police Officer Dies of 9/11-Related Illness NEW YORK -- Luis A. Palermo Jr., a decorated Nassau County police officer who rushed to lower Manhattan to help search-and-rescue efforts at the ruins of the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks, died Monday (Sept. 4) from a 9/11-related illness, authorities said. He was 49. Acting Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder said Palermo was diagnosed with cancer about five years ago. The cause of death was acute lung disease. “He was the kind of guy who never asked for accolades. He just did what he had to do,” said Eric Cintron, Palermo’s brother-in-law. “He went down there [Ground Zero] without hesitation.” Read More... Police Officer Dies of 9/11-Related Illness | Officer.com