The family of NYPD Detective Michael Hanson, a first responder who died in 2018 from Lou Gehrig's Disease attributed to his work at Ground Zero, has been denied disability benefits 13 times. This ongoing struggle for recognition and support has been amplified as city officials, including Mayor Zohran Mamdani, have invoked Hanson's words in public statements, particularly in the lead-up to the 25th anniversary of the September 11th attacks.

Hanson spent eight months digging at Ground Zero following the 2001 terrorist attacks. His widow, Cathy Hanson, and daughter, Kate Hanson, maintain that his illness was a direct result of his exposure to toxins at the site. Despite their claims, the city has consistently denied their applications for benefits.

The situation became particularly poignant when Mayor Mamdani quoted Hanson during a recent briefing. "Last week, Officer Perry was honored with a street naming in East Harlem," the mayor stated. "Today, we honor every NYPD officer who died on or after 9/11, those who gave so much to protect and to serve. In the words of ESU Detective Mike Hanson, who before he passed gave his younger officers a rule to work by: ‘Do what you can for who you can, with whatever it takes.'"

Kate Hanson expressed her dismay on Facebook, highlighting that the mayor had not only used her father's words but had also misquoted him. "Does he know that the man he’s quoting died worrying about his family being taken care of because the city has denied him benefits that should’ve been there for someone sick or dying from 9/11 exposures?" she wrote. She also pointed out that the mayor omitted the end of the quote, which is "to get it done," and is displayed at the NYPD Emergency Services Unit headquarters.

Cathy Hanson stated that she has been fighting for benefits for eight years, fulfilling a promise to her husband to advocate for those suffering from neurological illnesses due to 9/11 exposures. "He was denied 13 times for a 9/11 pension," she told The Post. "If the mayor or his staff would’ve took a couple of minutes to figure that out he could’ve mentioned that people who suffered that day are still being denied."

Under New York City's pension system, first responders and public employees are eligible for disability pensions if they participated in the rescue, recovery, and cleanup efforts following 9/11 and subsequently died from a qualifying World Trade Center condition. Hanson, who served 21 years with the NYPD before retiring in 2006, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in 2018 and passed away six months later. His family attributes his diagnosis to his extensive work at Ground Zero, including 11 hours on the day the towers fell.

A 2023 state Appellate Division ruling acknowledged that it was "possible" that WTC toxic exposure contributed to Hanson's illness, noting that the high levels of toxins found in his body warranted further medical review. It remains unclear if the family has filed new benefit claims since Mayor Mamdani took office.