Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino and local officials joined Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder and hundreds of officers in blue to ceremonially rename a Syosset street in honor of fallen Nassau County Police Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cizmarik, who died while in the line of duty as a result of cancer he developed after being exposed to toxins while working at Ground Zero in the aftermath of the 9/11 Attacks on America.
“The Town of Oyster Bay and Nassau County never forget its hometown heroes, especially the brave men and women of law enforcement, who rush into danger when answering the call for help from fellow citizens. We are proud to honor the life and service of Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cizmarik, who exemplified what it means to sacrifice while helping others,” said Supervisor Saladino. “Christopher loved our community, and will always be remembered for his bravery. This street, in the neighborhood where he lived for many years, will forever serve as a reminder of his sacrifice and his extraordinary life. When people pass by this block, they will forever remember Detective Lieutenant Christopher Cizmarik as an exemplary first responder.”
Christopher embarked upon his law enforcement career with the New York City Housing Authority Police in 1989 before starting with the Nassau County Police Department in 1992. Like many of his fellow first responders, he worked tirelessly in the days and weeks following the 9/11 Attacks on America.
Christopher was born in February 1966 in Flushing. He graduated Holy Cross High School and later attended the New York Institute of Technology. He married the love of his life, Bernadette, and the couple raise their two sons, Matthew, a New York City Police Officer and Andrew, in Syosset. As Christopher battled cancer, his wife and sons stood by him throughout his long and arduous road of battling the disease.