Holly MatkinStony Point, NY – New York Police Department (NYPD) Sergeant William “Bill” Brautigam died in the line of duty on Jan. 31, following a battle against cancer that developed after his service at the World Trade Center terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001.
Sgt. Brautigam, 47, succumbed to colon cancer at his home while surrounded by his family, according to his obituary.
He joined the NYPD on July 2, 2001 and was attending the police academy when he and his fellow recruits were mobilized to respond to the aftermath of the terrorist attacks.
“William was a member of the ‘9/11 class’ in our Academy,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea told the New York Daily News in the wake of the veteran officer’s death. “When the attacks occurred just two months later, William, like thousands of his classmates and colleagues throughout the department, answered the call.”
“Now, nearly 20 years after that horrific time in our nation’s history, his strength continues to lead us — and we vow to never forget him or his immense sacrifice,” Commissioner Shea said.
Sgt. Brautigam was assigned to the 33rd Precinct at the start of his career, and later served with the Patrol Borough Manhattan North, the New York Daily News reported.
He earned his detective shield while working in the Vice Enforcement Division, and later served at the Narcotics Borough Manhattan North.
After being promoted to the rank of sergeant, he returned to the 33rd Precinct as a field intelligence officer, the New York Daily News reported.
“For the past four years, he was assigned to the Criminal Enterprise Investigative Section,” Commissioner Shea told the paper. “And for more than 2 years of that, he bravely fought the illness that ultimately claimed the life of another NYPD hero.”
The commissioner said Sgt. Brautigam made nearly 700 arrests during his years of service, and received 25 department recognitions, the New York Daily News reported.
Sgt. Brautigam leaves behind his wife of 18 years, Susan, and his sons, Billy and Kevin, according to his obituary.
“Anyone that knew Bill, knew that he had a heart of gold, always worked hard and put his family first,” the tribute read. “The love he had for his boys was tremendous.”
He is also survived by his mother, sisters, in-laws, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Sgt. Brautigam will be laid to rest on Tuesday.
On 9/11, Sgt William Brautigam was a recruit in our Police Academy when he, & thousands of others, answered the call.
Today, nearly 20 yrs later, we lost him to illness stemming from his work that day & in the weeks & months after.
We will #NeverForget William — another #hero. pic.twitter.com/U2c5Z5zYsD
— Commissioner Shea (@NYPDShea) January 31, 2021
NYPD Detectives send their heartfelt condolences to the family of Sgt. William Brautigam who passed away today due to a 9/11 related illness contracted while working at Ground Zero. A recruit in the academy at the time, William never hesitated to heroically respond. #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/nLemibJ8tX
— Detectives' Endowment Association (@NYCPDDEA) January 31, 2021
GLFOP: Blessed Are The Peacemakers
Sergeant William Brautigam
New York City Police Department, New York
EOW: Sunday, January 31, 2021#EnoughIsEnough #OfficerDown #EOW #ThinBlueLine pic.twitter.com/eRx72V9R1m
— SCFOP Lodge #31 (@scfop_31) February 4, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of New York Police Department Sergeant William “Bill” Brautigam, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
