The DEA Honor Roll

Detective First Grade Kevin Czartoryski passed away December 5, 2010, two years to the month of his retirement from the NYPD, which resulted from pulmonary fibrosis and other ailments, including various cancers that developed after his work on the rescue and recovery efforts related to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks.

The youngest of six children from Queens, Czartoryski studied at St. John’s University and was appointed to the NYPD July 11, 1988. He was promoted to Detective on March 31 1995, and earned second grade on August 21, 2001. Among his posts were Queens Narcotics and the Hate Crimes Task Force. After 9/11, he moved to Public Information where he served as the Commissioner’s liaison to the City’s gay community. He was promoted to first grade on December 23, 2003.

He won praise from Commissioner Kelly, as well as City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, for bridging the gap between the Police Department and the City’s often marginalized LGBT citizens. Czartoryski proudly marched in the Gay Rights Parade as a member of the Gay Officers Action League (GOAL), and was well-known for his outgoing, cheerful nature, communications skills, and consummate professionalism. He was often described by friends, colleagues and those who covered the police beat as “classy.” And he inspired two of his many nieces and nephews to join the NYPD.

Czartoryski’s sister pointed out that it was a battle for Kevin just to breath during the last two years of his life. He retired on December 31, 2008. He had a lung transplant in May of 2010, but the cancer had spread to other parts of his body.

“Kevin loved his work and loved life as well,” said former DEA President Michael Palladino. “I admire his heroism, not only for his work at Ground Zero, but for how he conducted himself during the last days of his life.”

Czartoryski’s death came just days before the passing of the federal 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and reinforced to the nation’s law makers the importance of this critical legislation designed to help those who served the country during one of its darkest times.

“The whole City should salute Czartoryski,” admitted columnist Michael Daly in the New York Daily News. At the time of his passing, Det. Czartoryski was 46 years old. He was survived by family, including his siblings.

In February of 2012, 59th Road, between 60th Street and 60th Lane in the confines of the 104 Precinct in Queens, was renamed Det. First Grade Kevin Czartoryski Place.