Luis Alvarez had become a champion of first responders

NEW YORK — The funeral of a New York City police officer can inspire a citywide act of mourning, with hundreds, if not thousands, expressing their sorrow for a life lost and gratitude for a career in service.

For the funeral Wednesday of Luis Alvarez, a former New York detective who became a champion of the emergency workers who had responded to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the grief and thanks expanded to encompass the nation.

Alvarez died Saturday from complications of colorectal cancer, just weeks after he gave an emotional plea to lawmakers at a congressional hearing in Washington on replenishing the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund.

Before he uttered a single word, Alvarez, 53, brought in stark relief the realities facing many of the first responders to what became known as “the pile” at ground zero. His pinched, jaundiced face and frail body reminded countless Americans — and presumably, some members of the House Judiciary subcommittee to whom he was speaking to — that unforeseen, relentless and lethal damage was done to many in the weeks after the attacks.

His appearance that day was also a final act of service after a career as a public servant, a former member of the bomb squad now pushing himself to one last task with just days left to live.

Alvarez learned he had cancer in 2016. The disease was believed to have resulted from the three months he had spent working at the site of the fallen World Trade Center towers in Manhattan, where he had searched the noxious debris for survivors and for the remains of those, including his fellow officers, who had perished.

Outside the Immaculate Conception Church in Astoria, a somber-looking Jon Stewart spoke with Rep. Carolyn Maloney, both of whom had joined the cause with Alvarez to urge Congress to pass the bill that would secure aid for ailing LEFT: An undated file photo of Luis Alvarez before his battle with cancer.

RIGHT: Alvarez at his appearance before Congress on June 11.

Sept. 11 responders like Alvarez.

Maloney, D-N.Y., wore a black firefighter’s jacket that she had pledged in February to wear at public events and in the halls of the Capitol until Congress passed the bill.

Stewart, the comedian who has long been an outspoken supporter of the 9/11 responders, had appeared with Alvarez at the congressional hearing.

Though the bill that Alvarez had so passionately supported passed the House last month, it has yet to clear the Senate. The chamber’s majority leader, Mitch Mcconnell, R-KY., has said that he will allow a vote on the bill by August.

Outside the packed church Wednesday, hundreds of uniformed officers in their dress blues stood at silent attention as the hearse containing Alvarez’s coffin slowly made its way down the street. The only sounds were from news helicopters above and the drums of the New York City Police Department’s Emerald Society Pipes and Drums.

Police officers watched raptly as Alvarez’s coffin, draped in the Police Department’s green and white flag, was taken from the hearse. His family — including his parents, wife, three sons and siblings — wiped away tears as musicians played “Amazing Grace” on the bagpipes.

At approximately 10:10 a.m., the funeral began with readings from Alvarez’s family.

In his eulogy, the Rev. John Harrington described Alvarez’s love of his job and his sense of duty. In his final days, speaking to his family as he lay in their home, he said he imagined at that moment to be walking. He was asked where.

“I’m on the pile,” he replied.