By MES Dispatch staff
The Briefing
- • Master Police Officer Don Gotthardt of the Fairfax County (Va.) Police Department died from cancer linked to his service at the Pentagon following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
- • Gotthardt served 25 years with Fairfax County Police and 34 years in law enforcement.
- • He participated in operations at the Pentagon on 9/11 and in the subsequent search and recovery efforts.
- • His death on Oct. 16, 2025 is recorded on the Officer Down Memorial Page; he is survived by family.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Master Police Officer Don Gotthardt, a longtime member of the Fairfax County Police Department, has died from cancer officials and memorial records attribute to his service at the Pentagon following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Gotthardt died on Oct. 16, 2025, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page. He had served with the Fairfax County Police Department for 25 years and spent 34 years in law enforcement overall.
Gotthardt was at the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, and later took part in search and recovery operations at the site in the aftermath of the attacks, memorial records indicate.
Cancer and other illnesses linked to exposures during response and recovery efforts after the Sept. 11 attacks have been recognized among some first responders and support personnel, prompting expanded federal benefits and compensation programs.
Gotthardt is survived by his wife, two stepchildren and a grandson, the memorial page states.