Retired FDNY Deputy Chief James Riches passes away on Thanksgiving due to illness related to 9/11.

James “Jimmy” Riches, a retired deputy chief of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) and a significant figure in post-September 11 recovery efforts, passed away on Thanksgiving Day due to complications from a September 11-related illness. He was 74 years old. The FDNY confirmed his death, marking the loss of an individual who dedicated a substantial part of his life to public service and his family.

Riches had been battling a lung illness for over two decades, a condition that was exacerbated by his time spent at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 2001 terrorist attacks. During that time, he participated in the arduous search for the remains of his son, Jimmy Riches, a firefighter who tragically lost his life while responding to the attacks. For six months, he sifted through the rubble in an effort to find his son, who served heroically as a member of Engine Company 4 in Manhattan, though he was also affiliated with Ladder 114 in Brooklyn.

According to his family, Riches was well-respected and beloved by his colleagues and peers in the firefighting community. His son, Daniel Riches, who is also a retired FDNY captain, spoke of his father’s positive legacy and the outpouring of love the family received following his passing.

Riches experienced numerous health problems throughout the last 25 years, which his family attributes to the toxic environment he endured while working at the site following the attacks. Reports indicated that many responders, like Riches, developed chronic health issues, including respiratory problems and other conditions linked to the hazardous materials they encountered. In one interview, he detailed how he first noticed concerning symptoms, culminating in a serious health crisis in 2005 when he suffered from bilateral pneumonia, requiring intensive medical intervention.

A notable aspect of Jim Riches’ life was how he coped with the profound loss of his son, who was found deceased in March 2002, just one day before what would have been Jimmy’s 30th birthday. In memory of his son, a street corner in Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, was named “Jimmy Riches Way.”

James Riches dedicated 30 years of service to the FDNY, retiring in December 2007. His career was celebrated by colleagues who recognized his commitment and the distinguished service he provided to the city. A funeral service will be held for Riches at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, reflecting the collective grief and remembrance of a man who experienced both personal loss and the challenges of being a first responder in one of the most tumultuous times in American history. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to resonate within the firefighting community and beyond.