Hempstead Town Plans To Rename Block After Det. Luis Alvarez

OCEANSIDE, NY — Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony D’Esposito announced his plan last week to rename the block where NYPD Det. Luis Alvarez lived in Oceanside after the fallen police officer.

Alvarez died last week of cancer caused by his time searching for survivors in the rubble of the World Trade Center after the 9/11 attacks. D'Esposito — himself a NYPD detective — said he spoke to Alvarez's family about the renaming.

“Our motto in the NYPD is 'fidelis ad mortem' — faithful unto death,” said D’Esposito. “Det. Alvarez made that motto his mission.”

In recent years, Alvarez became best known for his advocacy work to secure funding for health programs for first responders who have become sick due to their response on 9/11 and in the ensuing months. Just days after testifying in Washington, D.C. next to Jon Stewart, Alvarez entered hospice care. He died a few days later.

“We have lost too many of our brave first responders and it is important that we do everything we can to ensure that they are never forgotten," said D'Esposito, who noted that the details for the renaming are still being worked out. "It is especially meaningful to remember Det. Alvarez in this way in recognition of his fight both at the World Trade Center and for the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund.”