Sophia Torres is still mourning the loss of her father, Jorge Torres, a 35-year veteran of the city Department of Correction. He was part of the department’s Emergency Service Unit, which responded to the World Trade Center terror attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. 

“My dad was an amazing person. He was an amazing captain. He was an amazing correction officer,” Sophia Torres said.

Jorge Torres died last July after battling a 9/11-related illness. 

"He had a rare form of brain cancer related from his 9/11 rescues," Sophia Torres said.

Jorge Torres and other correction officers who died from exposure to toxic substances during rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center received special recognition at the Department of Correction’s wreath-laying 9/11 ceremony and program on Rikers Island Friday. 

“You know, for too long, this department did not get the recognition that it deserved, and that was just as equally, I think, as painful as surviving the trauma of that day,” said Louis Molina, commissioner of the city's Department of Correction.

The department is memorializing some of those accounts in a new book unveiled during the ceremony. 

Meanwhile, unions representing FDNY firefighters and fire officers continue honoring members who died from 9/11-related illnesses, like retired Lieutenant Joseph Brosi. After a long battle with cancer, he passed away in February. 

“The efforts of the World Trade Center monitoring, as well as the efforts of the medical treatment that was afforded him, made a dramatic impact on his quality of life,” said Jimmy Brosi, president of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association.

Jimmy Brosi says medical treatment extended his father’s life. Advocates who want the same for more 9/11 first responders are demanding lawmakers address long-term funding shortfalls for the 9/11 World Trade Center Health Program, which is expected to expire in 2025.

“Why there are some politicians who make it hard to get the funding, and why they involve this bill and this health care program in the horse trading of Washington, is disgusting,” said Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

Despite the great sacrifices of 9/11 first responders, many say they knew it was a risk that came with the job. 

“I’m not sure that we had any other choice. I think we knowingly went there because we thought we had an obligation,” Jimmy Brosi said.

An obligation and a sacrifice Sophia Torres said she is forever grateful for. 

“I’m grateful and thankful every day for his service and the service of the Department of Correction,” she said.