Alex Waldemar Baez, 50, a decorated and a retired N.Y.P.D. Sergeant, retiring in 2005, and a 9/11 first responder, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by members of his family, the morning of November 22, 2008. Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in the Bronx, N.Y., Alex had a bigger than life personality and a heart that touched all with whom he came in contact.

He enjoyed travel, literature, theatre, laughter and spending time with friends and loved ones. Following his retiring, he worked in the New York City diamond district as a security officer and at the Hotel Edison as a security supervisor. After years of searching, Alex found peace and paradise in Bethlehem with his fiancee, Jessica. Survivors: Alex will be lovingly remembered by his mother, Maria Mercedes Plata; his three children, Alexander, Andrew and Amara; his brother, Pedro; his fiancee, Jessica C. Rivera; family and friends.