Katie Honan, DNAInfo
ELMHURST — A street corner was renamed for a police officer who died several years ago from cancer he contracted while working on rescue efforts after the 9/11 attacks, according to family and police officials.
Sign for P.O. Robert M. Ehmer Place. photo DNAInfo
Police Officer Robert Ehmer joined the NYPD in 1985 and spent most of his 20 years with the 110th Precinct in Elmhurst, where he was awarded seven medals for excellent police duty and two commendation medals, according to the precinct’s current boss, Deputy Inspector Ronald Leyson.
He died in 2010 from cancer at the age of 47.
The corner of 43rd Avenue and 95th Street was renamed for him Oct. 17 to remember his dedication and sacrifice, Leyson said.
Ehmer’s brother and sister, who live in Florida, traveled to Elmhurst for the street renaming, which was sponsored by City Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras.
In addition to his police work, Ehmer was an EMT with the New Hyde Park Fire Department and at the former St. John’s Hospital, which closed in 2009.
Leyson described him as a “hard-working, reliable, knowledgeable yet quiet and unassuming guy” in remarks made at the street renaming ceremony on Oct. 17.
Ehmer assisted in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero after the September 11 attacks for four months — and was diagnosed with kidney cancer in 2007.
Another officer from the 110th Precinct, Sgt. Paul Ferrara, died Aug. 28 from 9/11-related cancer.
