Duty Death: Kelly Korchak and James Kennelly - [New York]
End of Service: 10/06/2017
By Police1 Staff
NEW YORK — Two officers died within days of each other from 9/11-related illnesses.
Officer Kelly Korchak, 38, was laid to rest Thursday. Korchak was diagnosed while she was pregnant, but decided to forego aggressive treatment and give birth to her son Luke Harrison Attarian, the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association wrote on Facebook. She died eight months after giving birth on June 10.
Korchak, who was married to NYC Det. Steven Attarian, became an officer in 2001. She received two “Cop of the Month” awards during her career for her role in breaking up a burglary ring and detaining a murder suspect, Staten Island Live reported.
The Emergency Service Unit that Korchak’s husband worked with started a GoFundMe to help him and the baby she leaves behind with future needs.
Officer James Kennelly, 37, died Saturday from an illness related to his recovery efforts as a firefighter during the World Trade Center attacks, the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association Facebook said.
Kennelly began his career in law enforcement with the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department before joining the Port Authority Police. He was also a member of the Port Authority Police Emerald Society and was the 2017 Grand Marshal for the New York City St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Kennelly is survived by his wife and daughter.