Photo credit: David Starke
Accession Number: C.2023.38.2
Dimensions: 3/16 in X 2 in
Dimensions (Metric): 7.62 cm X 5.08 cm
Dimensions (Metric): 7.62 cm X 5.08 cm
Source: Phil Alvarez
Credit Line: Gift of the Alvarez family
Keywords
Ground Zero
Health Effects
Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Rescue and Recovery
Ground Zero
Health Effects
Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act.
New York City Police Department (NYPD)
Rescue and Recovery
Description
Challenge coin created in memory of NYPD police detective Luis Alvarez. The front of the coin features a photograph of Alvarez with an enamel American flag and green and white striped NYPD flag. Raised text around the edge of the coin reads: "'STILL HERE STILL BREATHING STILL FIGHTING' GOD BLESS LOU | EOW JUNE 29, 2019." The back of the coin features a enamel "thin blue line" flag with a very small NYPD logo on the left side and a small "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor" emblem for the Marine Corps on the right. In the center is a representation of the bomb squad/detective police badge with the badge number "1361," belonging to Luis Alvarez, included. "CITY OF NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT | TEAM ALVAREZ" is printed in white enamel raised text around the edge.
Challenge coin created in memory of NYPD police detective Luis Alvarez. The front of the coin features a photograph of Alvarez with an enamel American flag and green and white striped NYPD flag. Raised text around the edge of the coin reads: "'STILL HERE STILL BREATHING STILL FIGHTING' GOD BLESS LOU | EOW JUNE 29, 2019." The back of the coin features a enamel "thin blue line" flag with a very small NYPD logo on the left side and a small "Eagle, Globe, and Anchor" emblem for the Marine Corps on the right. In the center is a representation of the bomb squad/detective police badge with the badge number "1361," belonging to Luis Alvarez, included. "CITY OF NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT | TEAM ALVAREZ" is printed in white enamel raised text around the edge.
Historical Notes
After working three months at Ground Zero, NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez later became ill with cancer. In June 2019, shortly before his 69th round of chemotherapy, Alvarez urged Congress to extend the Victims Compensation Fund. He died weeks later.
After working three months at Ground Zero, NYPD Detective Luis Alvarez later became ill with cancer. In June 2019, shortly before his 69th round of chemotherapy, Alvarez urged Congress to extend the Victims Compensation Fund. He died weeks later.
Curator's Comment
Born in Havana, Cuba in October 1965, Luis Gustavo Alvarez moved to New York City with his family, who settled in the East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens. After graduating from high school, Luis served in the U.S. Marines and pursed studies at City College of the City University of New York. In 1990, he joined the New York Police Department. Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, he was transferred to the NYPD’s Narcotics Division and eventually promoted to detective. In response to the 2001 terror attacks, he spent three months at the World Trade Center site searching the toxic rubble for survivors and the remains of the dead.
Sixteen years after the World Trade Center’s destruction, Alvarez was diagnosed with intestinal cancer that had metastasized to his liver. His disease was certified by the World Trade Health Program as stemming from exposure to contaminants at Ground Zero. He subsequently endured multiple medical interventions and treatments in the effort to prolong his own life, all the while advocating for justice on behalf of similarly ailing responders whose health had been compromised as a result of their service on and after 9/11. In late spring 2019, during his final weeks of life, Alvarez summoned the strength to travel to Washington, DC. He traveled with fellow members of the Ground Zero community, coordinated through the FealGood Foundation, to provide his message in person before the House Judiciary subcommittee considering the VCF reauthorization. Alvarez delivered his testimony on June 11, 2019. Shortly after, he succumbed to cancer on June 29, 2019.
The following month, President Donald J. Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi officially co-signed H.R. 1327 into law. It bore a more expansive title: the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund" Act.
HIDE
Born in Havana, Cuba in October 1965, Luis Gustavo Alvarez moved to New York City with his family, who settled in the East Elmhurst neighborhood of Queens. After graduating from high school, Luis served in the U.S. Marines and pursed studies at City College of the City University of New York. In 1990, he joined the New York Police Department. Initially assigned to the 108th Precinct in Long Island City, Queens, he was transferred to the NYPD’s Narcotics Division and eventually promoted to detective. In response to the 2001 terror attacks, he spent three months at the World Trade Center site searching the toxic rubble for survivors and the remains of the dead.
Sixteen years after the World Trade Center’s destruction, Alvarez was diagnosed with intestinal cancer that had metastasized to his liver. His disease was certified by the World Trade Health Program as stemming from exposure to contaminants at Ground Zero. He subsequently endured multiple medical interventions and treatments in the effort to prolong his own life, all the while advocating for justice on behalf of similarly ailing responders whose health had been compromised as a result of their service on and after 9/11. In late spring 2019, during his final weeks of life, Alvarez summoned the strength to travel to Washington, DC. He traveled with fellow members of the Ground Zero community, coordinated through the FealGood Foundation, to provide his message in person before the House Judiciary subcommittee considering the VCF reauthorization. Alvarez delivered his testimony on June 11, 2019. Shortly after, he succumbed to cancer on June 29, 2019.
The following month, President Donald J. Trump and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi officially co-signed H.R. 1327 into law. It bore a more expansive title: the "Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund" Act.
HIDE
