ept. 12, 2001. (Corbis Historical) Corbis via Getty Images

His dad suggested he take all the city's civil services tests and the NYPD called in 2010.

 These guys were all heroes,  he said.  When everyone else was running away, cops and firemen were running into danger. 

His dad was proud he followed in his grandfather's footsteps.

7 Firefighter Thomas Del Pino's fire truck, Ladder 85 out of Staten Island pictured during the Sept. 11 attacks. Courtesy of Daniel Del Pino

7 Firefighter Thomas Del Pino wanted to make sure Sept. 11 is remembered. Courtesy of Daniel Del Pino

7 Firefighter Thomas Del Pino died on Sept. 14, 2025. Courtesy of Daniel Del Pino

 He bought a (police) scanner,  Del Pino recalled.  When I was assigned to the 77th precinct (in Crown Heights, Brooklyn), he would listen to the radio to see if I was going on any calls. 

The father was over the moon again when his son was promoted to detective last year. Unfortunately, the son said, it was the same year his dad received his cancer diagnosis.

The elder Del Pino had a biopsy on July 1, 2025, and was diagnosed with diffuse midbrain glioblastoma - a rare aggressive malignant brain tumor more commonly detected in children.

7 Daniel Del Pino, who was promoted to detective in 2025, stands next to his proud father. Courtesy of Daniel Del Pino

He received radiation for five days a week for six weeks, but his liver began failing about a month later as a result, the son said.

 His rally was on Sept. 11,  his son said, recalling that his dad put on his uniform and attended two Sept. 11 memorials near his home in Millford, Pa., in a wheelchair.  He felt like he owed it to the guys who died to pay tribute to them one more time. 

He slipped into a coma two days later and died on Sept. 14.

 He knew it was coming,  his son said.  It wasn't if it was going to get him, but when.