James Zadroga, an NYPD officer who died of post-September 11 illness, was recently honored with a bronze plaque on the NYPD's memorial wall. The "Wall of Heroes" resides in the lobby of the NYPD headquarters, and Zadroga and seven other officers were added to the wall in a recent memorial service.

Zadroga, who was 34 when he died two years ago, had worked hundreds of hours at ground zero following the fall of the towers. He soon developed respiratory ailments and died in January 2006 of lung disease. These post-September 11 illnesses have been a legacy of the Giuliani administration, and it is unclear as to why service men and women at ground zero were not provided the proper protection against this deadly dust.

"It gives a just honor to Jimmy and to the other officers who worked that day and the days that followed," said Joseph Zadroga, James Zadroga's father, at Wednesday's ceremony.

After a New Jersey autopsy concluded that Zadroga's death was caused by September 11 dust exposure, his family worked to get his name added to the 9/11 victims' list. However the New York City medical examiner concluded that improper use of prescription drugs contributed to Zadroga's lung disease, which thus disqualified him from being included from the 9/11 victims' list.

"I just hope that maybe they won't forget now," said Joseph Zadroga, who still wants his son's name listed on the Sept. 11 memorial

James Godbee, an officer who died in 2004 of lung disease; Robert Williamson, a detective who died of pancreatic cancer a year ago; Det. Kevin G. Hawkins; Det. John T. Young; Officer Angelo Peluso; Officer Ronald E. Weintraub; and Officer Thomas G. Brophy were all recognized for their September 11 related illness deaths.

At the ceremony three other officers were added to the wall. All three died last year in the line of duty.