Lou Matarazzo, 84, died of natural causes surrounded by his family at home in Rockville Centre, Long Island, on Sunday.
The former NYPD cop started serving as the union’s president in 1985.He later served as the legislative director of the Detectives’ Endowment Association.
National Police Defense Foundation President Mike Palladino, who previously served as DEA president, said Matarazzo was “a giant who had his finger on the pulse when it came to promoting and defending officers’ rights.”Matarazzo was a “driving force” in expanding rights for 9-11 officers. “When I took over as DEA president, Lou was already in place as our legislative director,” Palladino said. “I asked him to expand his role into other areas which he gladly did.”
He said Matarazzo was the true “driving force” behind the “original 9-11 Zadroga bill” in Albany, which amended New York state pension law to allow those who suffered and retired with 9-11 disabilities to receive line-of-duty death pensions.The former director was known for his “love and support” of members on the force.
“Lou’s more than three decade career with the NYPD fighting for the rights of our family in blue continued when he became part of our team at the DEA,” the letter states. “His love and support of detectives and all cops will always
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