On the day a former New York City police detective and leader in the fight for the Sept. 11 Victims Compensation Fund died, fellow Boston-area first responders voiced their support for extending the crucial fund, which would give protection and peace of mind to affected families.
Detective Luis Alvarez was diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2016, which he traced to the three months spent in the rubble of the World Trade Center’s twin towers after the 2001 terrorist attacks.
Alvarez, who died Saturday, appeared with former “Daily Show” host Jon Stewart earlier this month to plead with Congress to extend the current victim compensation fund, which is running out.
Earlier this week, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to reauthorize the fund in August, a move that Boston first responders said would greatly benefit those who charged into the pits of danger to save lives during the country’s worst tragedy.