NYPD detective who beat Sept. 11 cancer dies of coronavirus
New York City NY April 17 2020
An NYPD detective who went back to work after battling Sept. 11-related cancer died Wednesday of coronavirus, police officials announced.
Robert Cardona, 41, is the fifth NYPD detective, and the 27th police department employee, to succumb to COVID-19.
Cardona joined the NYPD in July of 2001, just two months before one of the city’s darkest days.
“Heroically, he had fought back against and was in remission from 9/11-related cancer at the time he was admitted to the hospital with coronavirus symptoms nearly one month ago,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said Wednesday in a message to the city police force.
“To all of you: It is understandable to feel overwhelmed. We are frightened and tired. But like you, I have faith we will get through this and be a stronger and closer NYPD as a result. That faith might be shaken, but it will not be broken.”
Cardona was assigned to the 13th Precinct Detective Squad in Gramercy Park and served as the precinct’s union delegate. He was the father of an 8-year-old son.
“He was dedicated to his job and being a detective,” said Detectives’ Endowment Association President Paul DiGiacomo. “Not only did he serve the people of the city, but he also served his fellow detectives.”
DiGiancomo said the department, and the detective’s union in particular, is reeling from the virus.
“This is probably the darkest time for the rank of detective, having lost five detectives in such a short period of time,” he said. “This is no different from being shot in the line of duty, and I call this virus the invisible bullet.”
The NYPD on Wednesday announced the deaths of two more civilian employees — Carol Ryer, a traffic enforcement agent assigned to Bronx Traffic Enforcement who joined the department in 1992, and Denise Prince, a communications technician who worked for the NYPD for 21 years.
