After the terrorist attacks on Sep. 11, 2001, Paolillo was one of the hundreds of first responders who for weeks dug through the rubble in hope of finding the remains of the dead, including his older brother, FDNY batallion chief John Paolillo, who was 51 when he died in the collapse of the World Trade Center's North Tower.
Det. Joe Paolillo is survived by his wife and three sons: Martin, John, and Raymond.