Edwin R. Jimenez

United States Park Police K9 Officer Edwin R. Jimenez passed away on September 30, 2023 due to a hard-fought battle against neuroendocrine cancer of the colon, attributed to his service following the events of September 11, 2001.

Jimenez was born in Brooklyn, New York and raised in the Bronx, New York. His childhood was full of love and happiness, with his father to look up to as a role model. Throughout his childhood, Jimenez loved to read Archie comics, train his hamsters, and watch football. While working as a K9 Officer at Liberty State Park, he met his future wife, Gladys, who worked as a security guard. The two crossed paths and began their relationship. After marrying, they began their beautiful family together.

Fueled by his passion and drive to make a difference, Jimenez decided to join the police force in October of 1999 and later joined the K9 Unit in 2002. He loved waking up every morning ready to make a difference with his K9 partner. Jimenez’s goals were to make a positive impact on the community in which he served, provide his family with a life that he did not have, and show them that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. Throughout his career, he participated in presidential K9 sweeps and protection, assisted in K9 sweeps for the joint terrorist task force in New York City, was awarded a Chief Award for the Vieques Demonstration Case on Liberty Island in 2019, and was one of the many heroes who laid their lives on the line following the events of September 11, 2001.

Gladys currently lives in New Jersey with her three children. Her hobbies include learning medical conditions and terminology and she is currently pursuing a degree in respiratory therapy, with a final goal of becoming a nurse. In the future, she is excited to earn her degree and show her children that no matter how hard life can get, it is possible to move forward with resilience. Gladys is eternally grateful to Tunnel to Towers for lifting the financial stress of a mortgage off of her shoulders and allowing her family to remain in the only home her children have ever known. Finally, Gladys would like others to know that her husband, along with countless other heroes, made the ultimate sacrifice when 9/11 took place and if he could turn back time, he would do it all over again, selflessly.

United States Park Police K9 Officer Edwin R. Jimenez leaves behind his wife, Gladys, and five children.