NEW YORK (AP) — A deputy U.S. marshal has died of cancer linked to the 2001 World Trade Center response.
The U.S. Marshals Service said Wednesday that the passing of Zacarias Toro is considered a line-of-duty death. It says the World Trade Center Health Program determined his cancer resulted from his work on at the trade center after 9/11.
The Nanuet (NAN’-yoo-eht), New York resident died Sunday. He was 50.
Marshals Service Director Stacia A. Hylton (STAY’-shuh HIHL’-tuhn) says the heroism shown by Toro and other responders shouldn’t be forgotten.
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Toro was the recipient of the Marshals Service Purple Heart Award.
Toro was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which a common cancer for his age group. Experts don’t yet know whether exposure to trade center dust put anyone at greater risk for contracting that disease.