DeMarino Way

Heroism hidden in plain sight: A renamed street honors 9/11 first responder

Parkwold Drive South — a modest stretch of road flanked by a row of houses on either side in North Valley Stream — was once like any other ordinary residential street.

That all changed in early August of last year when it was ceremonially renamed Vincent DeMarino Way in honor of the eponymous late North Valley Stream resident and New York Police Department deputy chief for his valiant efforts during the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

DeMarino was numbered among the hundreds of first responders making their way to the World Trade Center in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

He died in December 2019 of a brain tumor, which doctors say he developed because of his exposure to the contaminated air in lower Manhattan in the days after the search and rescue operations. He was 61.

“Though nearly 20 years have passed since Sept. 11, 2001, heroic first responders like Vincent DeMarino continue to tragically lose their lives as a result of cancers and other illnesses from working at the contaminated ground zero site,” Town of Hempstead supervisor Don Clavin said. “We have to remember that it’s not just one day for some people. It’s every day. We should reflect on that.”

Even despite his ongoing health problems during his life, DeMarino pressed on with his career in public safety, serving as the New York City Transit security chief dealing with emergency response and counterterrorism measures, as well as guarding the city’s transit facilities.

For his valor and relentless dedication to his community, the Town of Hempstead hosted the ceremonial unveiling of the new street sign.

Tim Baker/Herald Top: Parkwold Drive South in North Valley Stream was ceremonially renamed Deputy Chief Vincent DeMarino Way after the eponymous Valley Stream native and New York Police Department 9/11 hero.

DeMarino is survived by his wife, Charlene DeMarino, and four children: Michael, Nicole, Morgan and Vincent, who have all followed in their father’s line of work as police officers and proudly carry the DeMarino name today.

“I remember I asked him if he had any regrets about being there at ground zero, seeing what it did to him,” Vincent said. “He told me he didn’t at all. He told me that it was the proudest moment of his career.” — Juan Lasso

Matt Cudahy/Herald file photos Top: Town of Hempstead supervisor Don Clavin hands a commemorative street sign, honoring late New York Police Department 9/11 hero and North Valley Stream resident Vincent DeMarino, to his widow, Charlene.

Bottom: The DeMarino family: Nicole, an NYPD sergeant; Michael and Morgan, both NYPD officers, and Vincent, an NYPD detective, with their mother, Charlene.