Nov 6, 2007 10:35 am US/Eastern
Bloomberg: 9/11 Responder Zadroga Was Heroic
Mayor Backtracks On Statement, Meets With Family
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
It took a week, but on Monday night Mayor Michael Bloomberg finally apologized to the family of a 9/11 first responder after commenting that the responder was not a hero when the medical examiner alleged he did not die from breathing toxic air at ground zero.
Last week, Bloomberg sparked controversy after he learned one autopsy determined that the late NYPD Det. James Zadroga died from "recreational" drug use, and not from lung disease caused by toxic air.
"We wanted to have a hero," Bloomberg said back on Oct. 30. "There are plenty of heroes. Just in this case the science says this was not a hero."
The mayor's remarks infuriated 9/11 first responders and the Zadroga family. They demanded a meeting with the mayor to show him the facts, stacks of Zadroga's medical records.
"I know he was a hero," said Joseph Zadroga, the late detective's father. "Anyone with any common sense would review his records and know that he's a hero. I'd definitely like to have an apology and a retraction."
Added attorney Michael Barasch: "Jimmy Zadroga was down at ground zero digging for body parts and survivors for 400 hours. If that's not a hero there is no such thing."
The elder Zadroga finally met with Bloomberg Monday, but it was cloak and dagger all the way. First he had to meet a cop outside the Department of Education, then walk through the building and out the back door and then across the park through a locked gate. He then went in the back door of City Hall.
All the cloak and dagger secrecy was apparently worth it.
"I certainly apologized for my comments," Bloomberg said.
The mayor also agreed to ask the medical examiner to reconsider his determination about what killed James Zadroga.
"There should be no doubt in anyone's mind that James Zadroga served the city with distinction, and became very ill after 9/11," Bloomberg said.
Joseph Zadroga said the meeting was satisfactory.
"The mayor was very gracious," he said. "He was very gracious when he spoke to use he showed a true sympathy for James. He said James was a true hero."
The mayor also told the Zadroga family that he would ask the 9/11 Memorial Foundation to find some way to honor the first responders and construction workers who have died or who will die from working on the pile.
Several first responders told CBS 2 HD they intend to see that the mayor keeps his promise.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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