Reported by:
Cherry Meigh Timbol
News Content Editor
Published September 11, 2026
NEW YORK — A widow of a New York City police officer who died in connection with the September 11 attacks has sharply criticized Mayor Zohran Mamdani after he invoked her late husband during a 9/11 commemoration.
The dispute has focused on the treatment of her husband, NYPD Emergency Service Unit Detective Mike, whose widow, Cathy, says the city has denied her survivor benefits. She has also raised concerns that her husband’s name was left off a 9/11 memorial wall.
Her criticism comes as New York marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, an anniversary that has renewed attention on the victims, first responders and families who continue to deal with the consequences of the attacks.
Mamdani’s participation in this year’s ceremonies has itself generated controversy. Critics, including some relatives of 9/11 victims, questioned his involvement in official commemorations, while supporters argued that the city’s mayor should participate in honoring those killed and the first responders who risked their lives.
The widow’s response adds a more personal dimension to the political dispute. For families of victims and first responders, recognition at official ceremonies and memorials carries significance beyond politics. The inclusion—or omission—of a victim’s name can become a deeply emotional issue for surviving relatives.
The controversy also highlights the continuing challenges surrounding benefits for families affected by the September 11 attacks. Thousands of first responders, workers and survivors have suffered illnesses linked to exposure to toxic materials at Ground Zero and other attack sites.
Twenty-five years after the attacks, the legacy of 9/11 therefore extends far beyond the annual ceremonies. Families continue to seek recognition, medical support and benefits for loved ones whose lives were permanently affected by the tragedy.
🧩 Bottom Line:
Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the controversy underscores that honoring the victims is not limited to speeches and ceremonies. For surviving families, remembrance also means ensuring that their loved ones are properly recognized and that government commitments to those affected by the attacks are honored.
SOURCES: REDSTATE – 9/11 Widow Rips Mamdani for Quoting Her Husband After City Denied Benefits and Left Him Off the Wall
FOX BUSINESS – 9/11 widower behind petition urging Mamdani to skip memorial tells mayor to ‘stay away’
