NYPD’s Longest-Serving Chaplain, Rabbi Alvin Kass, Dies at 89
Rabbi Alvin Kass, the New York Police Department’s chief chaplain for nearly six decades and a pillar of support for officers and their families, died overnight at the age of 89.
Kass joined the NYPD in 1966, becoming the youngest chaplain in the department’s history, and remained a constant presence through moments of both tragedy and celebration. He was among the first responders following the September 11, 2001 attacks, offering comfort to the families of the 23 officers lost that day. His passing marks the end of an era for the NYPD, as he provided spiritual guidance through decades of change and challenge in the city.
Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described Kass as the NYPD’s “spiritual heart – a source of strength, guidance, and faith for generations of police officers and their families.” She recalled his signature blessing, a prayer for New York to be “a place where people of every race, religion, color, and creed can pursue their individual destinies untrammeled, unafraid, and in obedience to Thy will.” In 2020, at age 88, Kass famously fought off a mugger during his daily walk on the Upper West Side, demonstrating his continued resilience.
A U.S. Air Force veteran and Columbia University graduate, Kass dedicated his life to service. The NYPD will hold a formal service to honor his legacy, and Commissioner Tisch stated that his memory will be a blessing and his example will be everlasting. Further details regarding memorial arrangements will be released by the department in the coming days.
