Beloved 9/11 first responder enters hospice as family launches GoFundMe

Update: The fundraiser is no longer accepting donations.

Orginial story:

Anthony Payne, a former NYPD officer and Navy veteran who responded to both World Trade Center attacks, is now in hospice care as he battles advanced COPD caused by the toxic air at Ground Zero. His family has created a GoFundMe to help cover the cost of 24‑hour care and ensure he remains comfortable in his final days.

9/11 Responder Anthony Payne: A Career Defined by Service

Payne rushed into danger during the 1993 bombing and again on September 11, 2001. He spent months working in the rubble, breathing dust and smoke that later triggered long‑term respiratory damage. His family says the effects of that exposure never faded.

His condition worsened after a recent bout of pneumonia, which pushed him into hospice care. Because of that, his family is now seeking financial help to manage the growing cost of continuous nursing support.

Family Creates GoFundMe

In the GoFundMe, Payne’s family describes him as “a true hero,” noting his service in the NYPD and the Navy. They write that he “bravely put his own health at risk to help others in need” during both attacks on the World Trade Center.

The family says the fundraiser will go directly toward covering the cost of that care, adding that they want him to receive “the support and dignity he deserves in his final days.”

They also express deep gratitude, writing that “your generosity will make a real difference for our family.”

A Final Chapter Shaped by Sacrifice

Payne’s story reflects the long‑term health toll many 9/11 responders continue to face. His family hopes the fundraiser will ease the financial strain as they focus on keeping him comfortable.

They describe him as an inspiring man who served “in more ways than one,” and they say they remain committed to honoring his legacy as he enters the final stage of his life.

To learn more, visit the verified GoFundMe.