Jim Zadroga, continued

Well, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg finally apologized to the Zadroga family of North Arlington. Here are several stories:  NY Times  // Associated Press // NY Daily News

It's about time the mayor came to his senses on this sensitive issue. But more still needs to be done to fix a terrible mistake and give James Zadroga the recognition he deserves.

Some background:  James Zadroga, a decorated New York City police detective, died in January 2006 from a painful lung disease.  His doctors believe Zadroga's lungs became damaged after he worked hundreds of hours at Ground Zero.  His father Joseph, the former police chief of North Arlington, has led a campaign since his son's death to convince New York City to honor James.  But New York has dragged its bureaucratic feet, first with an insulting decision to not give James a full-honor's funeral and then with the zany report recently by New York's Medical Examiner that claimed James died from taking too many drugs.  Meanwhile, Bloomberg chimed in last week and said James was NOT A HERO, even though no one doubts he labored at Ground Zero.

Now that Bloomberg has apologized, maybe he can kick some sense into his New York police officials and finally recognize James Zadroga's contributions.