Our Purpose - While we have time, let us do good
On September 11, 2001, my husband, NYPD Detective Sergeant Christopher Michael Tully, rushed into Lower Manhattan after the towers were struck. In the months that followed, he worked tirelessly at Ground Zero and the Fresh Kills site, helping search through the wreckage to bring answers to grieving families. He never hesitated—he believed it was simply what you do for others.
Years later, that selfless commitment came at a cost. Chris was diagnosed with 9/11-related prostate cancer. After a courageous four-year battle that included experimental treatments and countless hospital stays, he passed away on August 14, 2021, at just 52 years old.
Chris created a path to become an NYPD police officer and achieved that goal in 1990. And once he got there, Chris never stopped pushing himself. He served in the 50th and 81st Precincts and went on to work in some of the NYPD’s most demanding assignments, including the Street Crime Unit, Organized Crime Control Bureau, Firearms Investigation Unit, the 83rd Precinct and Intelligence Division.
He loved being a police officer. In 1999, after nine years on the job, he was promoted to Detective. He became a Sergeant in 2002 and, in 2010, was promoted to Supervisor Detective Squad — a position he held until his retirement in 2011.
But the titles and promotions only tell part of who Chris was as a cop. I have been told by so many who worked beside him that Chris was a “cop’s cop,” “deeply loyal,” and “the best of the best.” The people who worked with him — and those he reported to — knew that Chris was ALL IN every single day.
That stated, Chris was so much more than a police officer. He was a devoted husband and an incredible father who loved our son, Connor, beyond measure. He found joy in bringing people together—hosting family gatherings, cooking meals at home, and planning trips in our motorhome. His deep love for family, friends, and shared experiences left a lasting impression on everyone who knew him.
On August 30, 2021—just 16 days after Chris’ passing—the Tunnel to Towers Foundation reached out to me. It was my birthday. They shared that, as part of their Season of Hope initiative, they would be paying off our family home. I was overwhelmed by this extraordinary act of kindness and felt, in that moment, that Chris was still looking out for us. They reminded me that we would be okay—that we were now part of a larger family. Chris made the ultimate sacrifice, and our family would always be part of theirs.
My son and I are forever grateful and deeply committed to this foundation. Just over a month after Chris passed, we participated in our first walk and raised $12,831 in only a few weeks. Over the past five years, the TULLYSTRONG team has raised more than $76,000—and we continue to push forward. In honor of the 25th anniversary of 9/11, our goal is to raise $25,000 and surpass $100,000 total. We hope our Ladies Bingo Night fundraiser and the 2026 NYC Walk will help us reach that milestone.
We walk and fundraise in Chris’ memory—and in honor of all the heroes whose lives were forever changed that day—to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten and their families are always supported.
