Holly MatkinLake View, NY – Retired New York State Police (NYSP) Trooper Jennifer Czarnecki died in the line of duty on Dec. 5, following a battle with cancer that developed after her service at the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001.
The 47-year-old trooper joined the NYSP in October of 2000, WGRZ reported.
“Following the events of 9/11, Trooper Czarnecki was assigned to aid with the search and recovery efforts in New York City as part of the New York State Police Detail,” NYSP Acting Superintendent Kevin Bruen said in a press release on Monday. “Trooper Czarnecki died on December 5, 2020, from an illness stemming from her assignment to the World Trade Center site following the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001.”
Trooper Czarnecki was assigned to NYSP Troop D earlier in her career, and served Troop A from 2003 until she retired in October due to her worsening illness, Superintendent Bruen said.
She passed away surrounded by her loving family and dear friends, according to her obituary.
“Jen was special,” retired NYSP Captain Tim Talley wrote in a memorial tribute. “She helped countless people and had a tremendous impact on many. I am so saddened.”
Cynthia Mullen said Trooper Czarnecki had been on the force for about a year when they first met.
“She was undoubtedly the right fit to be among the few female Stetson wearing Troopers,” Mullen wrote in a memorial tribute. “Her attributes and discipline [were] top notch. Observing her policing through many years, I was able to smooth over my rough edges in the field. She was the right person for the right job and I am very blessed for such a fantastic Comrade.”
Trooper Czarnecki leaves behind her husband, Brian, as well as her mother, brother, in-laws, and many friends and extended family members.
She will be laid to rest on Friday.
Tonight, our thoughts and prayers are with the @nyspolice and the family and friends of Tpr. Jennifer M. Czarnecki, who died on December 5 as the result of an illness sustained in the line of duty during her response to the terrorist attack on the WTC on September 11, 2001. pic.twitter.com/hHCR8xWQwb
— NJSP – State Police (@NJSP) December 8, 2020
Our thoughts are with @nyspolice, and the family and friends of Trooper Jennifer M. Czarnecki, who died as the result of cancer that she developed following her assignment to the search & recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 attacks. #LODD #EOW pic.twitter.com/bTwAn6sxvU
— ATF HQ (@ATFHQ) December 10, 2020
Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Trooper Jennifer M. Czarnecki
New York State Police, New York
EOW: Saturday, December 5, 2020#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/i19GId7dUB
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) December 7, 2020
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of retired New York State Police Trooper Jennifer Czarnecki, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
