Eric M. Calleja

New York City Police Department Detective Eric Michael Calleja passed away on August 7, 2022 as a result of 9/11 related illness.

Calleja was born and raised in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York. He grew up in a working middle class family and was very outgoing and extroverted as a child. He enjoyed spending time skating, bowling, swimming, and most of all, going to the gym to better his personal fitness. Calleja grew up very patriotic and always showed great respect for police officers, hoping his dream would one day come true of being a part of the police force himself.

Calleja’s childhood dream came true on February 28th, 1994  when he officially joined the New York City Police Department. Calleja always enjoyed helping others and hoped to work his way up the ranks within the Police Department. He eventually achieved this goal, earning a promotion to the rank of Detective.

In March of 2022, Calleja was diagnosed with colon cancer, bone cancer, and brain cancer which can be attributed to Calleja’s heroic service at Ground Zero in the months following the attacks on the World Trade Center. He sadly passed away just five months after his official diagnosis. He is remembered as a loving husband and perfect father, and referred to by his son as his superhero.

NYPD Detective Eric Michael Calleja is survived by his loving wife, Marilyn, their son, Eric, and his daughter, Erica. Marilyn would like to extend her gratitude to her brother, Jeremiah, who has always served as a role model to her son. 

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has paid off the mortgage of the Calleja family home through the Fallen First Responder Home Program.