FBI police official dies of 9/11-related cancer

By Suzie Ziegler 

NEW YORK — An FBI official who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attacks has died from a cancer he developed after exposure to Ground Zero, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

 

Supervisory Police Officer Yiu Tak “Louis” Tao died on May 17 after serving with the FBI for 25 years. Tao was stationed at the Bureau’s New York Field Office when planes hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2021, said an FBI press release.  

“Instinctively, he simply rushed to the elevator, made it down to the lobby, and ran as fast as he could toward the Twin Towers and the people he knew needed his help,” FBI Director Christopher Wray said in a statement. “He tried to take cover as debris rained down — metal, pipes, jet fuel. He described it later as something like a war zone.” 

Tao was described as a respected worker known for his spirit, enthusiasm and dedication.  

“With each year that passes, we lose more of the brave men and women who instinctively ran toward the danger that day, including many — too many — members of our FBI Family,” Wray continued. 

The uniform Tao wore on 9/11 is on permanent display at the Bureau’s police office headquarters, the FBI said in a tweet. He is survived by his wife, sisters and stepdaughter, the FBI said.