Det. Christopher Edward Cranston died at age 48 on July 20, 2019, as the result of illnesses he contracted related to his work on the rescue and recovery from the World Trade Center attacks of September 11, 2001. Det. Cranston was born and raised in Brooklyn and came from a police family. Both his father and a brother served in the NYPD. He was appointed to the force on April 30, 1991, and first assigned to the 62nd Precinct. In the late 1990s, Cranston worked in the Vice Squad and Narcotics. In 2000, he was transferred to the 68th Precinct, then the Kings South Warrants Squad before being transferred to the Kings North Warrants Squad. During his time in Warrants, but during the rescue and recovery from 9/11, on November 20, 2001, Cranston was promoted to Detective. He worked at Ground Zero for months before sifting through the rubble at the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island. In 2004, Det. Cranston was transferred to Coney Island’s 60th Detective Squad where he remained until his retirement on May 31, 2012. Family, friends, and colleagues describe Cranston as a man who loved being a New York City Police Officer and Detective. Not one to slow down, in retirement, Cranston worked as a Court Security Officer in the federal courts before being overcome by his illnesses, which forced him to retire once again. He was also a passionate Jets and Mets fan. He was involved with the local Little League and was always involved with his Church. Det. Cranston also loved spending time with his large, extended family and his lifelong circle of friends. “He was one of the nicest and definitely one of the funniest guys that I ever knew,” says retired Sgt. Scott Welsh, who went through the Police Academy with Cranston. “He is truly missed.” “He was a “cop’s cop, an adoring father and husband, and he exemplified the very best of our profession,” said Captain Anthony Lombardi, who worked with Cranston when they were both Police Officers. He described Cranston as having “a big heart” and someone who was always available at any time to help anyone in need. Det. Cranston was survived by his wife and their five children, as well as many other family members including his mother and his siblings, his nieces, and his nephews. On December 10, 2022, the NYPD unveiled a $25-million boat hauler named in honor of Det. Christopher Cranston at the Bayonne Dry Dock. The Bayonne Dry Dock was founded by Cranston’s brother Michael Cranston in 1997. The “Christopher Edward Cranston Mobile Boat Hauler” can lift ferries, tugboats, barges, and other vessels for inspection in about an hour, cutting the time needed to do such, which can vary from between four hours to a full day. Boat haulers are critical to the operations of the Port of New York and New Jersey. “My husband was a quiet man, and also, in my opinion, a humble man,” says his wife Clare. ‘He truly had a heart of gold. It’s such an honor, and I know, undoubtedly, that he will be watching over and keeping all of the Merchant Marines and other boaters and operators safe.” “The Bayonne Dry Dock’s role in providing service to the various vessels that call on the Port of New York and New Jersey and the region helps make our seaport more attractive to port partners and keeps our nation’s maritime fleet safe and ready to sail,” noted Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole. “We are honored to join the Cranston family in christening this incredible new resource to the port in the memory of Christopher for his work, dedication and sacrifice,” he said. The new boat hauler named after Det. Cranston is now the northeast’s largest. On July 19, 2024, a street was renamed for Det. Christopher Cranston at the intersection of Sterling Avenue and 10th Street in Staten Island, New York. Det. Cranston is buried in Resurrection Cemetery in Staten Island.