Detectives' Endowment Association, Inc. — Paul DiGiacomo, President

The DEA Honor Roll

Official Line of Duty Deaths

William B. Titus Jr.

Rank: Detective

Shield Number: 2498

Command: Brooklyn North Narcotics

Date of Death: 08/24/2003

Cause of Death: Illnesses contracted as a result of work on the rescue and recovery from the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001.

William B. Titus, Jr. spent most of his life on Staten Island, including a lengthy tenure patrolling in the confines of the 120 Precinct. He joined the force on July 15, 1986, and when he eventually moved to the Brooklyn North Narcotic module, he was eager to learn and humble enough to ask questions. Friendly and hard-working, he never had a bad thing to say about anyone. He earned his promotion to Detective on September 28, 2001. He died while in active duty and assigned to Brooklyn North Narcotics on August 24, 2003, from illness contracts as a result of his work on the rescue and recovery from the World Trade Center attacks. He was only 37 years old.

This 17-year police veteran was a music-loving husband who was devoted to his wife and their two young children. He was also survived by his parents, who wrote to the DEA,

“What a tremendous outpouring of love and respect for our son, Billy! … No parent could ever imagine burying their child. Your help and kindness made it possible for us to face this horrific task by your unselfish sacrifice of giving time; down to the finest details above and beyond the call of duty and our expectations. Whether it was an offer of a tissue, a car ride, a question answered, phone call, drink of water, food, candy, or a shoulder to lean on, your kind presence, was our saving comfort. On the day of Billy’s Funeral, we looked out at that “sea of blue uniforms”…. All dressed in their finest … tears in their eyes … at attention. Through our tears and sadness we felt so very proud of our son … proud to be part of this family called police. Your support represented the Police Department at its best. Such dignity, respect, and honor. We felt that Billy was somebody. He is our son and a member of the New York Police Department.”

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