Family Of Hero Retired NYPD Cop, 9/11 1st Responder, Hoping For Help On His Way To Recovery

SELDEN, NY — Selden resident Michael Banks was on duty with his partner in the NYPD's 13th Precinct in Gramercy Park when the first plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center on the fateful day of Sept. 11, 2001.

"I was there from hour one, when the airplane went over my car, and we shot down there, and we stayed down there for the rest of the night," he told Patch this week.

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Over the last 25 years, unlike some first responders, who are suffering from 9-11-related illnesses, Banks has remained relatively healthy. He's highly decorated, having won several awards for his work in the line-of-duty, including for the arrest of bank robbers, and capturing others in additional armed robberies.

"I did a lot of stuff with the NYPD," he said. "I worked anti-crime. I worked patrols. I had my own patrol car with my partner. Just, you know, a lot of stuff like that, dealing with the public on an everyday basis."

He retired after 26 years in 2020, making his second career as a security guard working in the Middle Country School District. There he was recognized by Suffolk Legis. Nick Caracappa for capturing a person who actively posed as an armed security threat on school grounds.

"I did a lot of stuff with the NYPD," he said. "I worked anti-crime. I worked patrols. I had my own patrol car with my partner. Just, you know, a lot of stuff like that, dealing with the public on an everyday basis."

But when his Diabetes got the better of him last fall, and complications led to the amputation of his left foot, he developed an infection that has delayed his healing. Since then, he has been unable to beat the infection, which includes three forms of bacteria, which are not responding to antibiotics.

"Mike's at risk for another amputation," said his sister-in-law, Lisa Leonardi. "He might lose the rest of the foot. They are trying to save the rest of his leg."

"We don't know yet," his wife, Helene, added.

In addition to the infection, Banks is being monitored by the World Trade Health Program for a problem with his throat and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease. He "100 percent" attributes those issues to his time at Ground Zero.

To battle the infection in his leg, he has been treated in a hyperbaric chamber, which costs around $2,000 an hour, and is not covered by his insurance.

"You would think that a retired New York Police Department police officer would have amazing benefits, but unfortunately, it's been very disappointing as to what his benefits are."

To make matters worse, Banks lost his job and is supporting his wife and their three children, who are 22, 19, and 16, on a pension, all while tackling his everyday expenses.

The family is now in a race against time to raise money for his treatment.

So far, a GoFundMe has amassed more than $15,000 toward its $20,000 goal.

"I literally have mountains of paperwork of just bills," Banks said. "I have so much, I can't catch up on it."

His new disability has not been easy.

"It's a challenge," he said. "Yeah, it's definitely a challenge, if I have to do anything like walking, I would definitely have to put my leg on the scooter that I have, and I also have a walker."

"I can't do strolls," he quipped, then laughed as he joked about his predicament.

The mental aspect is also a challenge.

It can be mentally taxing and fosters depression.

"Something's taken away from you that you had, and it's like hard to get around, you know, hard to do things," he said.

"You can't do the things you used to," Helene agreed.

"He was a workaholic, so he worked police officer hours, and then school districts," Leonardi said. "I mean, he always worked, worked, worked – always helping everybody."

He's hoping for any help that he can get with the GoFundMe to pay doctors, utility bills, and for gas money for Helene to use when she is driving him to appointments.

"I worked hard during 9/11," he said. "We rescued a lot of people. You know, as well as my home precinct did, the 13th Precinct."

He lost about five police officers in his command.

"I saw a lot of stuff with 9/11," he said. "So, you know, I was through that, and you know, I stayed down there for many months helping out with the recovery.

Banks went from helping people as a cop, then to helping children.

He needs help. You know, and where is it?," Helene said.

Banks says his disability has "put a bump on everything because everybody's like trying to cater to me."

"So I feel bad in that way, even though I know it has to be done a certain way like that," he said, adding that he has to stand back due to his injury.

"Sometimes, I don't go to family functions because I don't want to be a burden."

But the burden is lessened with Leonardi's help.

"If you want to put a star next to something, put it next to Lisa's name," Banks said.

It's a disheartening situation for Leonardi.

"It was just that seeing Michael from being able to help everybody to now," she said, referencing his struggle. "It's like to see him struggling, it's like, 'Wait, that's not fair.' He did all of that, and now he has to struggle?"