A highly revered New York City firefighter, who rushed to the World Trade Center after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks \u2014 where his hero son perished \u2014 and then spent months aiding with recovery efforts, died on Thanksgiving Day.<\/p>\n
Retired Deputy Chief James \u201cJim\u201d Riches Sr., who served in the department for 30 years, died at 74 on Thursday from a 9\/11-related illness resulting from the tragedy in Lower Manhattan, the Uniformed Firefighters Association\u00a0of Greater New York posted on social media. <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThroughout his distinguished career, Deputy Chief Riches exemplified the highest traditions of our department,\u201d the nonprofit advocacy organization wrote.<\/p>\n Retired Deputy Chief James \u201cJimmy\u201d Riches Sr., 74, died Thursday of 9\/11-related illnesses. Uniformed Firefighters Association NYC<\/p>\n \u201cHis dedication included responding to and assisting with the rescue and recovery operations at Manhattan Fifth Alarm Box 8087 \u2014 World Trade Center. His courage, leadership, and unwavering commitment to protecting life and property will forever be remembered.\u201d <\/p>\n Riches, who served in Fire Operations, was appointed to the FDNY on Aug. 13, 1977, and retired on Dec. 18, 2007. <\/p>\n The devoted smoke eater, who lived in Brooklyn with his wife, Rita, had four children, including three active FDNY members<\/a>.<\/p>\n His eldest son, Jimmy Jr., was killed while responding with Engine 4 in the North Tower on 9\/11.<\/p>\n Riches spent 30 years with the FDNY, retiring on Dec. 18, 2007. William Miller<\/p>\n Riches spent roughly nine months at Ground Zero, hunting through the rubble for his son and recovering countless bodies and partial remains of both civilians and uniformed service members.<\/p>\n He eventually found his son\u2019s body on March 5, 2002, he recalled in a 2019 Op-Ed published in The Post. <\/a><\/p>\n \u201cWe got to bury him,\u201d Riches wrote.<\/p>\n Riches and his family leaving Saint Patrick\u2019s Cathedral in 2002 after they buried his firefighter son who was killed in the South Tower on 9\/11. New York Post<\/p>\n Riches holds up a \u201cNEW YORK POST\u201d newspaper with the headline \u201cFREE-DUMB TOWER\u201d. William Farrington<\/p>\n \u201cPeople talk about closure, but that\u2019s not closure. I\u2019ll never get closure until my son walks through that door. It was the worst day for me, to lose my son and all those other people. They went to work that day to help people and they ended up murdered.\u201d<\/p>\n Riches went on to chair the \u201c9\/11 Parents and Families of Firefighters\u201d organization, becoming an outspoken advocate on 9\/11-related issues<\/a> and testifying before city, state, and federal agencies, including former President Barack Obama, loved ones recalled. <\/p>\n He even demanded Rep. Ilhan Omar apologize<\/a> after she described the terrorist attack \u2014 which killed 343 firefighters \u2014 as \u201csome people did something\u201d in 2019.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was just a terrific guy, well-respected,\u201d retired Lieutenant Jim McCaffrey told The Post Saturday night.<\/p>\n Riches three other children are also active FDNY firefighters. AP<\/p>\n Riches is survived by his three children and wife, Rita. New York Post<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s what we call a legend on the job. It was just an honor to know him and be associated with him.\u201d<\/p>\n