NYPD Officer From Hoboken Dies Of 9/11 Illness; Will Have Funeral Here

HOBOKEN, NJ — The Sept. 11 terrorist attacks are still claiming victims.

Hoboken native John Edgar, who grew up in the mile-square city and graduated from Hudson Catholic High School, joined the New York Police Departent in 1997.

This week, Edgar passed away in the hospital after a lung illness that's being attributed to responding to the World Trade Center attack.

Edgar worked in specialized units focused on gang and narcotics eneforcment. On Sept. 11, 2001, he responded to the World Trade Center.

A recent fundraiser said that he was about to receive a lung transplant. But he passed away days after surgery.

Hoboken residents were advised this week that he will be honored in Hoboken on Thursday, so there will be traffic changes to the streets.

"Det. Edgar passed away on April 19, due to a 9/11 related illness," the city said Tuesday in a message. "As his death is recognized as in the line of duty, he will receive a full NYPD 'Inspectors Funeral.' ”

The city said, "John’s heart never left Hoboken. He proudly continued a family tradition of law enforcement service spanning nearly 200 years. His father, both grandfathers, and numerous uncles and cousins served, or continue to serve, in the Hoboken Police Department and Hoboken Fire Department. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation."

Traffic and parking impacts

On Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m., Hudson Street will be closed to vehicular traffic from Eighth Street to Observer Highway. Cross streets in the area may be intermittently closed, the city said.

Sinatra Drive will remain northbound only. Southbound vehicles can use Washington Street as a detour during the temporary closure.

During the closure of Hudson Street, the red HOP bus will be re-routed from Hudson Street to Washington Street. HOP buses and commuter shuttles will be permitted access to Hudson Street south of First Street.

There will also be Temporary No Parking signs in locations near central Washington and Hudson streets, the city said.

Find out more here.