Members of the NYPD joined Long Island residents Saturday to mark five years since the passing of Detective Tommy Merriweather, who died from a 9/11-related illness. 

The memorial was held at the First Baptist Church of Bay Shore.

Merriweather is survived by his wife, Jackie, and his two sons, Teron and Tommy, who live in Bay Shore.

The NYPD detective spent about six months at the Staten Island landfill sorting through the remains of the World Trade Center victims.

Merriweather battled pancreatic cancer for more than 19 months and passed away in 2013 at the age of 49. NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill spoke at the service, saying it's important to remember Merriweather's dedication to the city.

"The work he did out of the Staten Island landfill, pretty much like his work as an undercover – not too many people knew about it, but it was a vital component of putting the city back together," said Commissioner O'Neil. 

Before joining the NYPD, Merriweather served in the Army's Infantry Division for eight years.  

Teron says he's going to take his heartbreak and turn it into a way to help others like his father did throughout his life.

"He helped me want to pursue a career in medicine because I may want to take up researching – hopefully help solve a cure for cancer," he told News 12.