Victor Vargas

Detective Victor Vargas of the New York City Police Department died on August 23, 2022 as the result of pancreatic cancer that he developed following his assignment to the search and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center site following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Detective Vargas was a proud United States Air Force veteran.

Vargas was born in Manhattan, New York, and was a die-hard New York Mets baseball fan. In his younger years, he was a star athlete, playing both baseball and football, known as #85 “Killer Bee.” He practiced karate, achieving the rank of red belt as an adult. He also had a passion for writing poetry, which he passed on to his daughter.

Vargas loved to bowl, traveling internationally to tournaments. It was at one such event in Mexico that he met his future wife, Luz Adriana. At her request, Vargas was partnered with Adriana’s sister, who has down syndrome, during an event for the Special Olympics at the tournament. From that night on, their friendship grew and they were married two years later. They went on to have a family of four children, Victor, Nicole, Isabella and Adrian.

Vargas was appointed to the NYPD on January 13, 1992. He became a detective on March 3, 1999, retiring from Manhattan North Narcotics in 2002. In 2006, he moved with his family to Melbourne, Florida and continued his life of service working for FIT as security. Vargas served his city and country with pride and dedication. His family remained the most important thing to him throughout his lifetime.

Detective Victor Vargas is survived by his wife, Adriana, his children, Victor, Nicole, Isabella and Adrian, his mother, Iris, siblings, Matilde, Luis and Steve, granddaughter, Aubrey Grace Vargas, and many extended family members.

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