A dedicated police officer, a loving husband and doting father of three, in 20 years NYPD officer Ross Dichter never took a sick day.
“I love what I do,” Officer Dichter said. “Anywhere I went on vacation that laptop came with me.”
In 2015, he was recognized for his hard work by former NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton.
Officer Ross Dichter is battling cancer and fighting crime despite the fact he could retire tomorrow. Full interview coming up on @PIX11News at 10:30 @NYPDnews @NYPD20Pct #NYPD pic.twitter.com/uw2JYKyuS8
— Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) January 22, 2020
“It’s just who he is, very hard worker, dedicated,” said Karen Dichter, his wife.
Last year, Officer Dichter was diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer that has spread from his tongue to multiple parts of his body.
A crime analysis officer based out of the 20th police precinct, he’s been committed to fighting crime on the Upper West Side since being assigned to the precinct in 2001.
Officer Dichter was diagnosed with 9/11 related cancer after working at ground zero. @PIX11News @NYPD20Pct @NYPDnews #NYPD pic.twitter.com/zmdOA5Us0O
— Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) January 22, 2020
He uses a secure, NYPD issued laptop to spot crime patterns, make sure incidents are classified correctly and alert other units within the NYPD of certain incidents.
He’s continued to work for the police department from home, despite his cancer diagnosis and despite the fact that he could retire tomorrow, given he’s already completed 20 years of service.
“I’ve been getting the treatments, yes I’m definitely more tired as in fatigued,” he said. “But as far as tired wide packing it up and retire… I’m not ready yet.”
He has a message for his fellow officers who were also in the disaster zone following 9/11. @PIX11News @NYPDnews @NYPD20Pct #NYPD pic.twitter.com/bn8oDSwYKO
— Cristian Benavides (@cbenavidesTV) January 22, 2020
He gets chemotherapy treatments every Monday and takes his laptop with him.
Him and his wife Karen are high school sweethearts, both Lynbrook, Long Island natives who are now sending a message to other families whose loved ones worked at ground zero on the days, weeks and months following 9/11.
“Get checked out and make sure you’re healthy ”