Ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC, recalls deadliest day in U.S. law enforcement history

WASHINGTON, Sept. 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On the eighth anniversary of the deadliest day in American law enforcement history, United States Attorney General Eric Holder led a special remembrance Friday morning for the 72 law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090112/DC57979LOGO )

"We will always remember the bravery they consistently demonstrated - not just on September 11, 2001, but on each and every day of their careers - not only because their names are etched on these walls, but because their deeds are etched in our hearts," Attorney General Holder said during the ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.

Following his remarks, the Attorney General joined staff of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) in reading aloud the names of the 72 officers who died in the terrorist attacks eight years earlier. He then helped to place a wreath and commemorative poster along the Memorial's west wall, where the officers' names are engraved together.

NLEOMF Chairman and CEO Craig Floyd noted that while 9/11 was an extreme example of law enforcement service and sacrifice, it certainly is not the only one. "Law enforcement officers were putting their lives on the line for the safety and protection of others long before 9/11, and they continue to do so today in communities across America," he said.

During his remarks Friday, Mr. Floyd recounted the story of Fred Morrone, superintendent of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Force. Superintendent Morrone was in his office in Jersey City on September 11 when the hijacked planes slammed into the World Trade Center. "As head of the agency, he certainly could have set up a command post at a safe distance away from the action, from which to direct the rescue effort. But that wasn't Fred Morrone," Mr. Floyd recalled. "Instead, he rushed to lower Manhattan and raced up the stairs of one of the burning towers to help with rescue first hand, reassuring many innocent victims coming down that they would be OK."

Superintendent Morrone was one of 37 sworn members of the Port Authority Police who died on 9/11. Also killed at the World Trade Center that day were 23 members of the New York City Police Department; five members of the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance; three members of the New York State Office of Court Administration; a special agent with the FBI; a master special officer with the U.S. Secret Service; and a New York City fire marshal who had sworn law enforcement powers.

In addition, Refuge Manager Richard Guadagno, a sworn officer with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, was among the passengers who died in Pennsylvania while fighting to regain control of Flight 93 from the terrorists.

The names of all 72 officers killed on 9/11 can be found on the NLEOMF website at www.nleomf.org/911heroes/. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial contains the names of 18,661 officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.

For more information about Friday's ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, visit the NLEOMF blog (nleomf.blogspot.com).

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link.

Craig W. Floyd

https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=38696

    CONTACT:
    Kevin Morison, NLEOMF
    (202) 737-7134, (202) 288-7029
    kevin@nleomf.org

SOURCE National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.nleomf.org