Police and Law Enforcement News

I Remember That Horrible Day ,as if it was yesterday. I was sitting in Class. It was the beginning of my Senior Year Of High School when The teacher had told us about the attacks. My Father, I assumed, would be there helping others for which he ALWAYS loved to do. Later that day I tried several Times To reach him On his cell And Pager and got no response. I then tried calling his superiors and they would keep assuring me that if they see him they will have him call me right away. Later that Night The hope was running out and the horrific Fear Was drawing closer That My Father was Killed. AND UNFORTUNATELY I was Right.  My FATHER LT. ROBERT D CIRRI, SR PAPD AND NJ PARAMEDIC was killed in LINE OF DUTY.

DAD, I MISS YOU so much . But I know you are watching down on us. Please Always watch over me and Jessica and the whole FAMILY. PAPD 37 HEROES ALWAYS HONORED AND SURE AS HELL NEVER FORGOTTEN !!!

          -Survivor of Fallen Officer

I was in fourth grade having lunch outside in Doylestown, Pennsylvania; having lunch outside was always a special treat.  For some reason, my mom came into school to pick me and my sister up with one of our neighbors and their daughter.  At first we thought that it was a special treat, but then I realized that something bad had happened.  She took us for a walk and at first I thought that it was about my dad who was on business in New Jersey, but when she told us what happened it was so hard to grasp the realization of it all.  My mom told us that Dad would be home as soon as possible, but it was still such a big relief when he finally got home that night. 

          -Anonymous

I had just returned from duty section muster aboard my ship pier side at Naval Station Norfolk when I saw the situation unfolding on the news. I knew instantly after the first attack that this was not an accident. I grew up in  Jersey and saw the Towers everyday, I knew the local airports flight patterns and new that this could not be happening unintentionally. My first reaction was shock and I became physically sick. I couldn't believe what was  happening and frankly didn't want to. I wanted someone to get in front of the camera and tell all of us that this was just a movie, that it wasn't really happening. They never did. I was sitting next to another sailor that I had been working with for a few weeks and noticed his reaction was the same as mine. He was a Brooklyn resident and without saying words to each other we knew it was time to go. The problem was the military implemented a total personnel recall that morning meaning all hands were to report to there units immediately. I couldn't sit there and wait for everyone to return to the ship( we were in a pre-deployment stand down) while my neighbors, friends, and family were under attack. So me and my buddy somehow got off the ship and into the parking lot of the base and sped off. We made it up to the city in under 5 hours ... its almost a 400 mile drive so you can imagine. And yes we did get pulled over .. twice ... but after explaining to the officers where we were going and why, they sent us on our way with just a warning. When we arrived in Manhattan I had a feeling that I had never felt before. I felt honestly lost, its hard to feel lost in your backyard. We got to ground zero and without going into details of what that was like, we helped in any  way we could. I returned to my ship about a day later and yes I was in trouble. Eventually the charges were dropped and 2 weeks later l left in support of Enduring Freedom. I was part of a team conducting special operations, basically tasked to intercept Taliban members leaving the region via the sea. Although 911 was a tragedy and a horrible act I did take something very dear from it. That kid from Brooklyn that I hardly knew, well, to this day
we are the best of friends, we are brothers. I never would have met him that morning if this horrible attack didn't take place. For all the people affected by that early September morning in 2001, God bless you. I pray for you and fight for you everyday in hopes that someday we can look at this world and not have to worry about terror anymore.

          -Pete

On September 11 2001 I walked into my fourth grade class and my teacher was watching the news. We were all in amaze of what was happening to our country. the girls with tears in their eyes and the boys sat there not quite understanding what had happened. it was not yet till 5 minutes later that we realized what had happened. no one knew what to do or say. that day we sat around and watched the news all day. It still haunts me to this day August 23 2005 to look back at what happened and look at the pictures.

          -Taylor

AS I  WATCHED FROM ACROSS THE WATER IN NJ ,TOWER 2 FALLING HELPLESSLY TO THE GROUND, BILLOWING GRAY SMOKE RISING UP TOWARDS THE SKY, I WAS DEVASTATED, YET ANGRY, AS TO WHO WOULD DO THIS.  I WAS GREATLY EFFECTED, EMOTIONALLY I BECAME LOST, AND FOR 6 MTHS. I COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT I SAW.   I DEEPLY EXTEND MY SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILIES.

          -Anonymous

On September 11, 2001, I was Bergen County Superior Court in New Jersey testifying on a drug case.  We were notified of the tragedy that was taking place at the World Trade Center and the Court was released.  All, including the Judge were in his office chambers watching the emergency bulletins as it was happening. A few of us had proceeded to the top of the Courthouse and actually observed the second plane hit the tower.  Horrifying is to say the least. Soon after I was assigned to the George Washington Bridge as a Police Officer and traveled into the disaster area often either with supplies, manpower and/or just for support.  I was also the Volunteer Fire Chief for the Saddle Brook Fire Department and two of my members were Port Authority Police Officers who luckily off that day. My heart goes out to everyone involved.

          -Sam Giovia Jr.
          -Bergen County Sheriffs
          -Saddle Brook Fire Department

On the morning of 9/11,I came home from working a midnight shift and went to bed as soon as my mother-in-law arrived to watch my son. Little did I know what was happening as I slept peacefully in my bed.  When I got up around 1500hrs to send my mother-in-law home, I found her sitting in front of the TV. just staring at it. Since I was still half asleep, I asked her what was wrong and she just looked at me with a tear in her eye and pointed at the television.  I too then sat down and stared at the TV. in total disbelief. Over and over again I sat there and watched the planes fly into the towers and watch the the towers fall. I kept asking myself," is this a dream?", but it wasn't. With every hour that passed and every video that was shown, I kept thinking how could this have happened to us, The United States of America! I never felt so helpless in my life as I did right then. It was like someone ran up to me and punched me in the stomach as hard as they could knocking all the wind out of me. It was at this point that I realized we were as open to terrorism as anybody else and that life would never be the same again for any of us and especially the families of the victims. To the families of the countless civilians, police and fire/ems personnel lost on 9/11 in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, I say to you" YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN". God Bless and Be Safe.

          -Ptl. L. MacArthur
          -Hamilton P.D.

 I was on my way to the bank when my girlfriend called me and told me about the plane crashing into the first tower.  I remember telling her to calm down and I told her that it was probably just an accident.  I couldn't believe her second phone call explaining about the second plane. 

I remember rushing to work and listening to the radio with my co-workers.  We were frozen. Hearing about all of the destruction.  Hearing about people jumping from the Towers, about the Pentagon, about Pennsylvania.  I could not believe it.  What the hell was going on??!!  I remember feeling angry, frustrated, useless.  Sitting there listening to the radio crying. Crying for all of those innocent people. Crying for all of the Police Officers, Firefighters, EMT'S and other emergency personnel who gave their lives saving others.  

I am a Police Officer now and 9-11-01 is something that I carry in my heart everyday.  Whenever work or life in general get me down I remember that day.  I remember all of those innocent people killed and injured.  I remember the families of the victims.  I remember the Police Officers, FireFighters, EMT'S and other Emergency personnel who gave  their lives to save others.  I remember all of the emergency personnel and non emergency volunteers who gave of their time after the attacks to help.  I remember my friend Robert "Bobby" Hughes who along with a co-worker, died that day because they stayed behind in the North Tower to help a woman who was having trouble evacuating.  I remember how UNITED we were as AMERICANS. Remembering helps me put life back into perspective.  

Never Forget September 11, 2001.  God Bless Us All. R.I.P  Robert "Bobby" Hughes 9-11-01 23 yrs old.  R.I.P Army Spc. Simeon Hunte  10-1-03 23 yrs old. Killed in Iraq.  

          -MSUPD #33    

I was at the Morris County Police Academy taking a in service training course. We took our morning break at 10:30am and herd on the radio from the coffee truck that two planes had hit the WTC, one in the Pentagon, and one more circling in PA. It was very hard to believe what we all had herd since we could not see it on television. Then I remember seeing the Sheriffs Department all responding to the Comm Center getting ready for their assignment. At that moment, we all had that feeling this is really happening to us. I also remember a few other students leaving class so they could help out. The remaining of the day was just very tough as we all were still in shock and disbelief. I finally went to Ground Zero that Friday right after leaving the academy to assist. I can only say that the sights and sounds of being there is still in my mind like it happened yesterday. Never Forget.

          -Anonymous
          -Morris County
 

I was sitting in my doctors office (waiting room) and a friend of mine who was a few doors down at a restaurant waiting for me came running in saying THE WORLD TRADE CENTRE TOWERS HAVE JUST BEEN HIT BY PLANES!.  The way I took it was that planes had shot missiles at the towers. I jumped up and we both ran back to the restaurant where they had CNN on, by the time we got there the Pentagon had been hit. I'll never forget when I first looked at the screen and saw those magnificent towers just billowing thick black smoke, my heart just sank. Right away my thoughts went to the people inside and that maybe tens of thousands may be killed. After that its just a blurr, tears and sickness in my stomach just knocked me off my feet. GOD I pray please NEVER AGAIN!

          -Anonymous

I remember as it was yesterday. I was attending the Ocean County Police Academy and we had just completed a vigorous PT Session. After we were all situated, the entire class made our way up to class to listen to the that day's assigned instructor. At which time, the Chief walked into our classroom. I thought oh great, we are in trouble, what did we do this time ?? The Chief had a solemn look on his face and looked down. I was a bit worried but didn't understand until he clearly stated " The World Trade Center was just struck by a plane ". The class looked around in disbelief. I lived in N.Y. for 12 years and remember the WTC as a staple of my life. Heck even before I became a police officer, I worked in N.Y. and took the Path Train to the WTC every day for two years and at the time the WTC was struck was when I would of been arriving. We did not have a television available in class, so the Chief allowed us to gather downstairs around a radio. We all looked at each other in disbelief. We were huddled around the radio much like children where during the old war days, listening with so much concentration. I remember hearing the towers fall and my chest got tight and I didn't hold back the tears, as did much of the class. We were later allowed to go home to our loved ones. I remember holding my son who was born only 6 days before this tragic day and holding him close as I watched the horror on T.V. unfold. I contacted my father who was a lifelong resident of the city and remembers watching the towers being built when he was younger. I immediately contacted my police department and advised them that even thought I was only a recruit, I would go up in a heart beat not only to help my brothers in blue and red, but to also help my city where I lived half my life. We weren't allowed and I still to this day, am upset about it but somewhat understand. After a few days after this day, two recruits were activated for duty with our military. Our prayers and hearts went to them. That day made me realize the importance of this job and why I took the oath to uphold the law and protect society. I am now a seasoned officer who is a field training officer and a member of our department's SWAT team. I go up every year for the ceremonies as I will be going again on this year. I stand there, dressed in my blues with my head held low and holding back the tears. As I look at the ground which once held the mecca of the business world, I remember it as a childhood memory. I almost at times, get lost walking around because that monument that stood there was something that will always live with me and is no longer around. To this day when I put on this uniform, I remember the men and women, regardless or blue or red who ran into that building and gave their lives without delay and I am proud to say that I am a Police Officer.

          -Anonymous

On September 11th, I was teaching a group of police officers who were preparing for their promotional exam. When most showed up for the morning class, they had no knowledge of what had happened. We attempted to continue with training but during class breaks, the TV set was on in another room, and we could not believe what we were seeing. Their test which was scheduled to be given in September was postponed by NJ DOP as a result of the tragedy. I traveled to ground zero the very next Saturday and paid my respects. All the pictures can't show what I saw in person, especially when I witnessed a crushed fire department vehicle being taken away on a flat truck. Later that night I learned on TV that several were inside when it was crushed. May all those who lost their lives rest in peace and never be forgotten!

          -Rich Groth, Retired Lieutenant

AS I WATCHED FROM ACROSS THE WATER IN NJ ,TOWER 2 FALLING HELPLESSLY TO THE GROUND, BILLOWING GRAY SMOKE RISING UP TOWARDS THE SKY, I WAS DEVASTATED, YET ANGRY, AS TO WHO WOULD DO THIS. I WAS GREATLY EFFECTED, EMOTIONALLY I BECAME LOST, AND FOR 6 MTHS. I COULD NOT STOP THINKING ABOUT WHAT I SAW. I DEEPLY EXTEND MY SYMPATHY TO ALL THE FAMILIES.

          -Anonymous

I was working in west Hudson Co. NJ as a paramedic, eating breakfast at a hospital. We were told in passing that a plane had hit the WTC. We walked outside, looked over the hill that gave a perfect view of the city across the Hudson, expecting to see that a small private plane had run into the building. When we saw the smoke we were confused as to how a seemingly larger plane had gone so far off course. We then saw the second plane hit, looked at each other, and went inside to turn on the news, because "there was no way that we just saw that". We worked for the next week in a haze, we went to the city in shifts for the next week, and sat with the other medical workers, waiting for someone to pull the wreckage off like a cat food can and reveal all the lost people waiting to be rescued. It didn't seem to hit me that day, I expected the buildings to fall, after seeing the explosion of the second plane, I didn't know how it stood that long. Later that week my partner and I visited the family of a missing PAPD LT. and NJ MICU, and sitting in her living room, watching his dog waiting for the door to open, I started to feel that it was real, and that this was not an uncommon scene this week. We move on changed, and I ask god to make us blind to what we have seen, deaf to what we have heard, and numb to what we have felt.

          -A.L. -MDSP

I grew up in the shadows of the Twin Towers just across the river in downtown Jersey City. I fell asleep every night watching the twinkling lights on every floor and used to ask my dad why all the lights weren't on. He simply told me that it's dark out and most of the people that work there have gone home. The remaining lights are all the hard working people that clean the buildings and keep them safe. I'm a firefighter in Bayonne New Jersey and my sister is a police officer in the same town. She was studying for her sergeant's exam that morning and I came running out onto the porch to relay the terrible news. At first, she thought I was joking and when I told her to look up, well, you can guess how she reacted. We spent the day together watching news coverage and wondering about a few close friends that worked there. Unfortunately, 1 of those friends left us that day and I still believe in my heart that he indeed was one of those twinkling lights that now light up somewhere in heaven. The unbelievable emptiness I felt when the first tower fell was almost painful as I simply told my sister there were hundreds of firemen and policemen in there trying to help people. I hope this email isn't too long and I really hope someone who lost somebody that day reads this and understands that I truly think about all those people (twinkling lights) every time I look at the changed skyline across from my firehouse!!

          -Sincerely,
          -Alfred J. Liana

My husband and I were in the Yellowstone Hotel at Yellowstone National Park. It is an old hotel with no televisions, no radios. I called a friend in NJ at about 8 am (out there) to wish him a happy birthday before we left the hotel for the day, and his significant other asked me in a really horrified voice if I knew what had happened. Of course, I had no idea, and after she told me, I got off the phone and ran to find my husband. I was crying - actually, I was REALLY crying, because I know those buildings well and know how many people could be in them when full. Everyone I passed in the hotel asked what was wrong, and as I told people, they ran for their cars and whatever radios they could find. It was a terrible day, and a terrible time to be away from  home. 

          -Karen C,
          -Jacksonville, FL

I was woken up by my clock radio to the news that one of the twin towers were hit by a plane. My first thought was that it was an accident, but once I heard the second plane hit I knew then... I drove to my university and there I sat in class and watched the news network on a TV the professor brought into class. Classes were canceled and a group of students and faculty stayed for hours to watch what happened. The lives lost of those in the Twin Towers, the pentagon, and Pennsylvania could never be forgotten. NEVER!

          -Alex
          -Philadelphia, PA

I was driving to a doctor’s appointment in Morris County, NJ. Had the radio on, but wasn’t really listening, finally when I realized all the stations had talk on them I turned it up and just knew that it was a terrorist act. The first thought to come to my mind was my boyfriend. He was in CA at the time doing USMC training. He was supposed to leave that day, I didn’t hear from him for 5 days. And now he is in the middle of his second tour in Iraq. And I couldn’t be prouder of him and what he is doing! I also thought it odd that on the woodsy back country road I was on, that it was the only day before or after 9/11 that my cell phone worked. Usually there is NO service there. But I managed to get thru to my mother and a few friends. I remember making it thru the doc appointment, both of us in tears – the whole time both of us watching the TV. Then driving to work on Rt. 23 and seeing the smoke in the distance. I’ll never forget that day and all of those we lost.

 M. in Morris County

I was at work as the First Shift Commander at a Wisconsin State Prison. I heard about the first tower on the local radio, and by the time I  got to the Warden's Office, the TV was on and showed a plane going into the second tower.  My heart sank as I thought of the people on the planes and in the towers.  As I watched, and the fires consumed the buildings and people were seen jumping, I had a hard  time comprehending the disaster and the magnitude of the tragedy. When the towers fell, I knew that the loss of life must be huge. I also work as a Police Officer, and  the sacrifice of my brothers and sisters on that day is a true tribute to the entire profession. I've never been to New York, but when I do get there, I'd be honored to meet some of  the bravest people on earth. Thank you.

          -Lt. Keith Hellwig
          -Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office
          -Fond du Lac, Wisconsin

I was on duty....meeting with the Prosecutor to get a consensual application signed.  We could see the towers from his office.  The smoke, the helplessness....I remember thinking...What next?  When our office went to assist at the site, with the PBA, it looked nothing like it did on T.V., it was a million times worse.  Anyone who did not go to ground zero will never really know what it was like.....May those who lost their lives forever be remembered........"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother"- Shakespeare

          -M.A. - Passaic County

I vividly recall September 11th. The day began as a bright sun drenched day. I was at the Atlantic County Police Academy gathering and preparing the lesson plan for the following days instruction. While in the administrative office speaking to the director, the county fire marshal entered the office and said that a plane had struck the WTC. Thinking that it was a small private type aircraft, I did not give it much thought. The fire marshal re-entered several minutes later and reported that a second airliner hit the towers. As we tuned in the television coverage, I was shocked by what I saw. Both towers exhibited gaping holes and were heavily involved in fire. There were now 10-15 people in the room watching the events. We watched in total silence and horror as the towers came crashing down. I remember saying to the group that "we just lost a whole lot of brothers and sisters." Later in the day after I returned to Atlantic City, we could see the smoke from the burning towers as we looked out over the Atlantic Ocean. With NYC being approximately 90 miles away, I was amazed that we could see the smoke on the horizon. It was a horrific day that all of us will never forget. May God bless all those who were lost and to those who gave the supreme sacrifice.

          -DMC
          -ACPD

I was in the gym, taking attendance for my class, when we heard that a plane hit the towers. I ran over to see the TV thinking, wow what an accident and then watched in horror as the second plan hit. As an EMT, I knew we would be mobilized, just as we were in '93. As soon as the plane hit the second tower,  my pager went off. I left work and headed to the ambulance squad to await our instructions. At first, we were going over, but then, the orders changed. NY was going to send everyone over via the port imperial ferry systems. We are in the town of the ferry, so we were ordered to set up the ferry terminal to receive patients. I was the triage officer that day. We set up with every piece of equipment and PMC sent ER nurses, doctors, etc. We were ready.....but what followed no one could be ready for. We had a lot of "walking  wounded", mostly shock victims. As with the other medical facilities....there weren't many extremely injured patients. They were either able to walk away...or they were lost inside the towers. The victims that came through our facility were physically tired, emotionally drained, some needed medical assistance, but most just needed to talk and to ask the age old question.. Why did they do this? Why did I survive and my co workers didn't? There was no way for us to answer these questions, we just lent an ear and let them talk. 60,000 people crossed our paths that day and in my mind I can still see many of their ash cover bodies walking off the ferries and I still remember their horrific tales of survival....

          -Linda
          -Weehawken

On that day, I was in school and after my Psych class we received a short break. Walking past the student center, I caught a glance of Tower 1 burning. Just as I turned to leave (thinking this was an accident) the second plane struck the second tower. The thing I will always remember for the rest of my life.... driving on Rte. 3 East on my way home, staring at the black smoke, I looked over at the car in front of me and a man put his head down and shook it in disbelief. (3) days later, I went to ground zero and assist.

          -NAPD ID# 052

I was at work in East Orange NJ, you could see everything from my building. Two days later myself and 15 other Parole officers went over to help. We worked on the bucket brigades with people from all over the country. I will never forget it, I can still remember how it smelled and how it felt. It was surreal like a movie. God bless all the heroes who perished that day and all of their families. Let's take time to be nice to someone else in their honor.

          -Jason

I was sitting in my State and Local Government class at Bergen Community College when the alpha-pager that my emergency services department used began to go off. After everyone stopped to look at me I read the page...words that have been forever etched into my mind..."all members respond to the EOC to standby for an emergency in New York"

Thinking that it might have been a drill I stayed for the rest of my class. When I got outside and saw the frightened looks on some of the other students faces I began running towards the nearest pay-phone. When I finally found one that was not frantically being dialed, I punched in my dispatch centers phone number and asked what was going on. That's when I heard the fateful words "A plane just struck the World Trade Center." I am not much for running, but I began a full out sprint, almost knocking over some of the other people who were absolutely clueless to the fact that their world was in the midst of changing forever.

I am not one to blatantly break the law, but I drove like a bat out of hell towards the garage where we stored our trucks and equipment. All along the way I was listening to AM news radio getting bits and pieces of what was happening. It was on this drive to the garage that I heard that the second tower was struck. I pushed the petal to the floor and made it to the garage in time to see everyone else gathering together every scrap of equipment that we had, getting ready for what would be a very long day.

After we got the word to mobilize and start making our way to Fort Lee (where a large portion of victims from the 1993 bombing ended up) I found myself sitting in our personnel van among a long line of vehicles heading towards an uncertain future. That is when the full impact of what was happening struck. The word that the first tower had fallen was spread, and as the convoy of sirens and emergency vehicles rode south on Rt 17, we got the first look at the plume of smoke coming from the southern end of Manhattan.

We staged at the GWB, in patient wait for an order that never came. We never entered the city that day. No victims took the subways north as they had in the past. There were no victims left. It was a somber day of unknowns, the only day in my life that I ever called my loved ones to say that I loved them not knowing what the next few hours would bring. I was with an excellent group of professionals who would have gone to assist those poor souls regardless of the cost.

After a long uneasy day and evening, we got the word to break down the triage station that was erected. We headed home, our heads in our hands, everyone wishing that they could have done something more to help all those people. Everyone knowing in the back of their minds that there was absolutely nothing that we could have done. All of us unhappy about that fact. Post debriefing many of us went up to the bluff over looking the Village, and what we saw will never be forgotten. A skyline that we had grown up seeing and taking for granted everyday, forever changed. A skyline filled with smoke and the souls of those helpless people who needlessly died.

I finally got the chance to call one of my friends houses. His father worked in the second tower. I was glad to know that the one person that I personally knew made it out by mere minutes. See he was in the lobby when the plane struck right where his office was. I went to my house, hugged my parents and cried. A combination of the fact that I was still alive and the sheer horror of what had occurred over twelve hours earlier.

That is my story, but I know all too many more which do not end in a happy ending.  Never forget.

          -Chris C.

I was upstairs in my apt when I heard my brother screaming from downstairs.  I just dropped my 2 children off to school. I ran down the stairs and watched in horror as Tower 1 was already hit.  My brother was watching the morning news and we all thought it was an ordinary day...UNTIL the newscaster said "Oh my GOD there's a plane and its headed for the Tower"!  Then .... as my mother brother and I were watching... my brother in tears.. myself in shock saying it had it be an "accident"...my brother said NO ACCIDENT no one is allowed to fly over Manhattan .... and my mother in shock...we watched as yet a second plane started steering into the Second Tower.  It felt like a scene out of the movie Independence Day ..but this was REAL this was HERE 12 miles right over the bridge into New York City. None of us have been the same since Sept 11th.  To witness human beings JUMPING to their DEATH. burning...the DEVASTATION>>>  there are no words....To have witnessed it in my life... I would have never envisioned...this was something that happened "other places"..........NO....its REAL its HERE and we will NEVER FORGET>>>  I am scared for my children's FUTURE with TERRORISTS Ruthless killers like this on the earth....they have no souls..... they cant be called people... they are the DEVIL on EARTH but our FAITH IN GOD WILL PREVAIL!

          -Jacqui D

I, AM, A POLICE OFFICER IN WEST PATERSON, NJ
I HAD JUST GOTTEN OFF DUTY AT 7 AM & DROVE HOME TO POMPTON PLAINS, NJ, WHERE I MOVED THERE IN AUGUST OF 2001. I REMEMBER KISSING MY DAUGHTER WHILE SHE WAS GETTING READY FOR SCHOOL AND I GETTING READY TO GO TO SLEEP. NORMALLY I SLEEP UNTIL 1:00PM. BUT ON SEPTEMBER 11. 2001, I WOKE UP AT 11:30 AM & WAS UNABLE TO GO BACK TO SLEEP. I GOT UP AND MADE MYSELF A CUP OF COFFEE AND PUT THE RADIO ON, AS I NORMALLY WOULD. I HEARD THE 2 DISC JOCKEYS ON WKTU 103.5, BALTAZAR & GUMBA JOHNNY TALKING ABOUT THE BOMBING OF THE WORLD TRADE CENTER. I THOUGH THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT THE BOMBINGS THAT OCCURRED IN 1993 OR WHENEVER IT WAS. I DIDN'T PAY MUCH ATTENTION TO THEM TALKING, UNTIL I HEARD THEM SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE SECOND PLANE CRASHING INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER TOWER 2. THAT'S WHEN I REALIZED THAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY; SEPTEMBER 11, 2001. I RUSHED TO THE TV & PUT THE NEWS ON. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EYES OR EARS AS TO WHAT HAPPENED TO OUR COUNTRY. I CALLED MY WIFE AT WORK; WHO HAD LEFT ME A MESSAGE ON MY ANSWERING MACHINE TO CALL AS SOON AS I GOT THE MESSAGE. SHE WENT TO MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL & HAD PICKED HER UP. MY POLICE DEPARTMENT HAD LEFT A MESSAGE TO CALL ASAP. AS I DID I WAS TOLD THAT ALL PERSONNEL WHERE ON EMERGENCY STANDBY & ASSIGNED TO 12 HOUR SHIFTS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AS I WATCHED THE TV IN HORROR, I THOUGHT I WAS WATCHING THE HISTORY CHANNEL OR A&E, NOT BEING ABLE TO COMPREHEND THAT WHAT I WAS SEEING WAS LIVE NEWS, NOT PERVIOUS HISTORY. I PRAYED; PRAYED HARD, AS I CRIED UNCONTROLLABLY FOR THOSE PEOPLE JUMPING OUT TO THEIR UNCERTAIN DEATH FROM THE TOWERS, CRIED FOR THOSE FIGHERFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS IN THE TOWERS, WHO PERISHED. FOR THOSE VICTIMS LOVED ONES. FOR THE PASSENGERS, FLIGHT PERSONNEL, THEIR FAMILIES, THOSE AT THE PENTAGON WHO PERISHED & WERE INJURED. I PRAYED THAT MY 12 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER COULD BE ABLE TO HANDLE THIS DEVASTATION IN HER LIFE & NOT BE LEFT EMOTIONALLY SCARED FOR EVER.

AS I WATCH 9/11 DOCUMENTARIES, RENEWS BROADCASTS & CERTAIN 9/11 LINKS & MEMORIAL VIDEOS ON THE INTERNET, I CAN NEVER, EVER LOOK AT THEM WITHOUT TEARS; UNCONTROLLABLY SPILLING DOWN MY FACE & MY HEART BREAKING FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE WHO PERISHED & FOR THOSE WHO WERE INJURED, THOSE BRAVE MEN & WOMEN WHO RESCUED PEOPLE, CIVILIANS, FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE OFFICERS, DOCTORS, NURSES, MEDICS, ETC., WHO WILL ALWAYS LIVE WITH THE EMOTIONAL SCARES. REMEMBERING MYSELF IN SCHOOL LEARNING ABOUT HISTORY WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO LIVING THE HISTORY.  MY PRAYERS TO ALL.

          -OFFICER #111

I'm retired from law enforcement after serving my community for 26 years of service.  I was having my car serviced that morning, when a local news channel interrupted the program and showed pictures of the first plane after it struck the tower.  I thought it was strange that the plane hit the tower straight on.  When the second plane struck, I knew it was a terrorist attack.  I listened to reports on the radio and TV well into the night.  My first reaction was anger, followed by prayers for the victims and their families.  Each day the victims, their families, the men and women of our Armed Forces are in my thoughts, my prayers and my heart.  MAY GOD BLESS THEM AND KEEP THEM IN HIS LOVING CARE.  

          -ID 104/86.      

I was at work that day at Cape May County EOC, training a new 9/11 dispatcher in our PSAP, our TV was tuned to the Weather Channel as usual, when the new dispatcher noticed the information scrolling along the bottom of the screen, we changed channels to see news on all channels of what was presumed to be an airplane that accidentally crashed into the World Trades Center in N.Y. The rest of the day was and there after were the busiest we would see for many weeks to come.  People wanting to go to N.Y. to assist slept in cars to talk to our EMCC Director, and ask permission to go to Ground Zero. Our County did send many EMS Squads, Fire Crews and Local Policemen to Ground Zero, to assist.

          -Ed Taylor,
          -Communications Officer, CMC. EMCC

I was enroute to work and heard on Newsradio88 that a small plane crashed into the WTC. By the time I got to the station it was on TV and we all saw the second tower get hit. Then the Pentagon and then Pa. At 10:45am I called my girlfriend and told her to pick the kids up from school and go to my house. The Officers and civilians at work that day watched TV at the dispatch console. We all kinda wanted to go home because we were afraid and wanted to be with our loved ones. We all grew close that day at work. Some of us even went to the cars and made sure the shotguns were operational. Then the call for help came out and many of us went to New York or the Pier at Atlantic Highlands not knowing what we would meet with. True American Heroes were made that day. Thank God that George Bush was and still is our President and leads the war on Terrorism to make our Country safe.

          -Detective Sergeant Chuck Ward
          -Freehold Borough Police Department 

Officer Down Memorial Page Listing of all Law Enforcement Officers Killed on September 11

I woke up that morning to hear on the radio that a small plane had hit one of the Twin Towers.  I just figured it was a small Cessna, and I didn't even put on the television.  I went downstairs and made breakfast.  I sat in front of the television and turned it on just as the second plane hit.  The rest of my morning was like everyone else. 

          -Frank
          -Monmouth County

I'm not an officer, but my condolences to all officers who lost colleagues that day.  I am very sorry.

          -Richard B. 
          -Paramus

Sitting in my living room, my son just left for work @ LFPD when I saw a plane had hit the tower. I was already shaken up when I saw the other plane hit and knew this was no accident. My brother-in-law and son both work for the Police Dept. and I just want to thank every brave soul who went over to help in the effort and to all who lost their lives, God Bless you and your families!

          -JoJo

On that fateful day we have just finished taking our class picture from the police academy on the steps of a cathedral used as a background. When we hear the police radio make the announcement that the WTC has been attacked. Only 2 weeks till graduation, something like this had to happen..........now 3 years later when I look at that picture on my wall I will never forget where I was on that fateful day...........................

          -Anonymous

I was on the Turnpike listening to a CD.  My first memory of September 11th was the smoke I could see across the river.  I put the radio on, and that was that.  Never forget!

-Anonymous

I've been upset for three years. I was on Varick Street, saw the second plane go in. It took me hours to down to the SI Ferry to get back to my family.

          -Anonymous

I was at work in Elmwood Park when word came thru about the attacks. We went on the roof to see both towers burning. As they collapsed we watched overhead as 2 fighter jets roared past. I then spent the rest of the day trying to find out if my Uncle got out and my wife's aunt. The rest of the day and years after have been the same as everyone I know. Not the same.

          -C
          -Bergen County, NJ

I was watching the news and having my morning coffee and reading the paper when I saw what looked like a fire in the Tower. After the second plane hit I was shocked and I knew we were in trouble. I will never forget that day and I immediately thought of all those people, fellow Officers and Fireman and what they were going through. It was a ugly scene and one, this old retired Cop won't forget.

          -Harold S. Wooden Jr
          -F.O.P. Lodge 2 NJ

I was talking to a stew from Continental Airlines who had a court date. Then I heard that a plane hit one of the towers, thinking it was a small plane from the area's private airports. The stew was concerned, being in the industry so I tried to get more info. Then on TV I saw the second plane hit.  After that, the rest of the day was one of the most difficult of my life.

          -RS
          -Secaucus, NJ

I was in Nantucket, Mass. on my yearly family vacation. On a normal work day I would have been at Paine Webber in Weehawken, NJ at my desk with the view of the  Waterfront that spanned from GWB to the Brooklyn bridge. I watched the whole thing unfold on TV and I felt like it was a movie and I really didn't believe it until I came back to work. There was so many people that lost loved ones...... After working another year I decided to leave. Finance didn't seem as important as everybody around me thought it was... I'd rather make a difference even if it was only one person.

          -Jim