Ross Dichter, an NYPD cop who works from home despite his World Trade Center-related cancer, has been promoted to detective in a surprise ceremony.
Detective Dichter was diagnosed with tongue cancer last year and used his vacation days, not sick days, to cover his surgery and treatments. The cancer has now spread to his neck and jugular vein, and Dichter will need more surgery. He continues to work for the Crime Control Strategy division of the 20th Precinct from a secure laptop from home or hospital.
Police Commissioner Dermot Shea gave him his new gold detective’s shield in a surprise ceremony. His new shield number – 7046 – is made up of digits from his wife’s and children’s birthdays.
Shea told Rocco Parascandola and Thomas Tracy of the New York Daily News that he decided to promote Dichter when he saw a photo of the cop working while undergoing chemotherapy.
“I was speechless. I really was,” Commissioner Shea said. “If that doesn’t tell the people of New York City how lucky they are to have men and women in blue like Officer Dichter, I don’t know what will.”
