A NORTH ARLINGTON HERO REMEMBERED.
January marks the 20th Anniversary of the passing of NYPD Detective James Zadroga and his heroic work at Ground Zero.
NORTH ARLINGTON – The valor and bravery of NYPD Detective James Zadroga and the Zadroga family will always be a part of North Arlington’s fabric as a distinct example of unbridled bravery and service above self.
The son of retired NAPD Police Chief Joseph Zadroga, Detective Zadroga’s unselfish commitment of some 500 hours of rescue, recovery and cleanup at Ground Zero is the standard for bravery of this unique American hero.
Born in 1971, the North Arlington local joined the New York Police Department in 1992 and was promoted to the rank of detective. After the 9/11 attack and collapse of the World Trade Center towers, a healthy Zadroga became ill due to toxic dusts that took his life in 2006. 
At the age of just 34, Zadroga was the first NYPD officer whose death was attributed to post 9/11 illness.
It was his work at Ground Zero that set the path for the transformational federal legislation that recognized and compensated 9/11 victims.
For the pulmonary fibrosis he experienced was a direct result of the toxins, ground glass, asbestos, lead and benzine that was inhaled during his hundreds of hours of volunteer service at Ground Zero.
It was his bravery and service to the country that led to the 2010 James Zadroga 9/11 Health & Compensation Act and the World Trade Center Health Program & Victim Compensation Fund. It was this landmark legislation that has become a lifeline to the some 400,000 members of the 9/11 community.
For this legislation not only assisted first responders, but the residents of Lower Manhattan effected by the 9/11 terrorist attack.
Some 69 cancers have been linked to the toxins from the collapse of the Twin Towers and other structures on September 11th, 2001. 2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of the unprovoked attack on America. 
NYPD Detective James Zadroga.
A son of North Arlington and
a true American hero.