Captain Kathy Mazza-Delosh

Transcription

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Melinda Inzani
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Please share and recycle this magazine.
Editor’s point of view
Michael J. Burke
6
women in blue
Remembering an
American Hero Captain
Kathy Mazza-Delosh
8
By Capt. Donna Roman-Hernandez (Ret.)
looking back
The Far Reaching Effects
of 9/11
10
By Joel E. Gordon
up close interview
Louie D. Cacchioli
12
By Melinda Inzani
gone but not forgotten
Who is Nancy Eulalia
Perez?
14
By Julia Torres
reflection
How I Miss You
18
By Michael Burke
B.B.O. news
Moments in Law
Enforcement
19
feature interview
15 Years Later:
Bernard Kerik 40th
Police Commissioner of
the City of New York
20
By George Beck
tribute
Hold the Door
22
By Lauren Fazio
technology
Block Watch App
23
By Police Officer Christopher Peguero
spotlight interview
Interview with
Jim Keane
24
By Julia Torres
exclusive interview
8-13! A Story of Survival
and Brotherhood
William “Will” Jimeno
26
By Joe Uliano
on the road
NJ Blue Now Crew
Travels to Dallas and
Baton Rouge
28
sheriff clarke
Speaks out
The Three Big Lies of of
Criminal Justice Reform
30
By Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr.
book review
Still Standing:
The Story of My Wars
31
Review by Joel E. Gordon
ask tanto
Kris “Tanto” Paronto
Discusses 9/11
32
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editor’s point of view
W
elcome to another issue of New York Blue Now Magazine. This issue is packed with articles we
hope enlighten, educate and entertain you.
Let’s remember all those who made the ultimate sacrifice 15 years ago on Sept. 11 2001. We
in law enforcement will never forget, but is seems that many in our country, including politicians, media
and a large portion of the populace have amnesia. That’s right--they can’t seem to remember the sacrifices
law enforcement made and continues to make every day to keep this nation safe. They’d rather believe false
narratives and outright lies spun from hate groups such as Black Lives Matter, self-serving politicians, and
so-called activists with personal agendas. Take for example the recent officer-involved shooting in Milwaukee.
Does the truth even matter? Obviously not because when a criminal pointing a handgun at a police officer gets shot, they blame the
officer? Ridiculous. I am at a loss for words.
Although this is a very disturbing trend we owe it to all who came before us to not compromise the jobs we do and the risks we
take. This has shown to be the case as recent events played out particularly in Dallas and Baton Rouge where officers paid the ultimate
price, and also in New York City where two NYPD officer drove away from a crowded Time Square to a more secluded area after a
device was thrown inside their vehicle. These are unmatched examples of heroism and bravery and exemplify the sacrifices and risks
officers take every day when they put on their uniform and protect and serve.
I want all of you to know that you have the support of NY Blue Now Magazine, as well as the support from our brothers and
sisters at NJ Blue Now and CT Blue Now magazines. We must stay united and focused in our mission as we continue to serve and
protect the greatest nation in the world.
In this issue you will hear from survivors of loved ones lost in the 9/11 attack. You will hear from former Police Commissioner
Bernard Kerik and PAPD Officer Will Jimeno. May we never forget the leadership and sacrifices these men made on 9/11 and in the
immediate aftermath. Thank you for being interviewed for this publication.
A special thank you to Eddie Vega for the cover image. Eddie captured the spirit of the moment at the World Trade Center
Memorial.
Please keep all those lost in your thoughts and prayers including those still suffering from 9/11 related illnesses and those lost in
the years thereafter.
Michael J Burke, Editor in Chief
New York Blue Now
182 High Street, Nutley, NJ 07110
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Women in blue
Remembering an American Hero
Captain Kathy Mazza-Delosh
Port Authority of NY & NJ Police Department
By Captain Donna Roman Hernandez (Ret.)
Their weapons of mass destruction were aircrafts flown by suicide terrorists
who were hell-bent on mass destruction.
O
n Sept. 11, 2001, 19 militants
associated with the Islamic group
al-Qaeda hijacked four airlines
and carried out strikes against targets in
the U.S. Two of those planes were flown
into the towers of the World Trade Center
in New York City. Law enforcement
officers, firefighters, and other first
responders from local, state and federal
agencies rushed there to assist with the
evacuation and rescue efforts.
One of those courageous officers
was Port Authority Police Captain Kathy
Mazza, a seasoned veteran of the force.
She joined her colleagues in the rescue
efforts of trapped victims. Her quickthinking action to use her duty weapon to
shoot out the floor-to-ceiling glass walls
on the mezzanine allowed hundreds of
trapped people to escape from the North
Tower of the World Trade Center. She
worked tirelessly to help others find their
way to safety.
Captain Mazza’s final heroic act
on Sept. 11th was spent with four
fellow officers as they carried a woman,
incapable of using the stairs, in an
evacuation (rescue) chair. All were killed
in the collapse of the North Tower.
Captain Mazza met her untimely
death at age 46. Of the 37 PAPD officers
who lost their lives on Sept. 11th, she
was the first female Port Authority police
officer killed in the line of duty.
Prior to her law enforcement career,
Kathy graduated from Nassau County
Community College with a degree in
nursing and subsequently worked as an
operating room nurse at two New York
hospitals. After working in the medical
field for over a decade she was hired by
the Port Authority of NY & NJ Police
Department in 1987. Her husband
8
Christopher was an NYPD police officer.
Mazza quickly rose through the
ranks. In April of 1999, she became
the second female to obtain the rank
of Captain at the PAPD. She was the
first female to command the PAPD’s
Training Academy, a perfect choice due
to her unique combination of training
as a cardiac nurse and police skills. She
led the academy’s medical care training
program and oversaw the agency’s firstaid programs, certified first responder
and EMT training. She implemented the
portable defibrillator training program
at Port Authority facilities with the
installation of defibrillators in airports, a
program that was instrumental in saving
lives. In 1999, Captain Mazza was named
the Basic Life Support Provider of the
Year by the Regional Emergency Medical
Services Council of NYC.
The late Captain has been described
by her colleagues as a caring, selfless,
fearless and dedicated woman with a great
sense of humor who loved the job. Former
NYC Mayor Rudolph Giuliani said,
“Captain Mazza was a trailblazer who
had an incredible desire to help people.”
Tim, a rescued civilian survivor wrote a
reflection about the Captain’s bravery on
her Officer Down Memorial Page, “You
were the Port Authority Police Officer
who assisted in carrying me back up to
Fulton Street from a garage after the first
WTC South Tower had collapsed. Before
I realized it, you were back at the door
of the bank, once again to assist others. I
know I was very fortunate to cross paths
with a unique, special hero. I am honored
to call you my ‘personal hero’ for what you
did for me. I salute you as someone who
gave of herself so totally and unselfishly to
me as a survivor.”
For her heroism on Sept. 11th
and achievements over a distinguished
career, Captain Mazza was posthumously
honored as one of the recipients of
the 2016 Woman of Action Awards by
the City Council in Jersey City. In her
memory, the Mazza family established the
Kathy Mazza Memorial Fund for Pediatric
Cardiology at St. Francis Hospital. Her
alma mater Nassau County Community
College
established
the
Captain
Kathy Mazza Memorial Foundation
Scholarship. The Town of Oyster Bay,
Long Island, dedicated the Captain Kathy
Mazza Park. Her goddaughter Jenna
posted an emotional tribute, My 9/11
Story, on Facebook: https://youtu.be/bx4umW5qSA.
Captain Kathy Mazza-Delosh dedicated her life to helping others, and in
the end, gave her life to help people on
September 11th. She is an American hero
who will never be forgotten.
Captain Donna RomanHernandez (Ret.) served 29
years in the Patrol Division
of the Essex County and
Caldwell Police Departments (NJ). She is a domestic
violence and sexual assault subject matter
expert and a keynote speaker/writer on law
enforcement topics. She is the founder and
CEO of Blue Force Films, a film production
company in NJ. Captain Roman Hernandez is the President of Violence Intervention and Prevention Specialists and an Instructor with Global Police Solutions. She is
the Host of Tough Justice Talk Radio Show
(www.toughjusticeddv.com). Contact her
at [email protected] or www.blueforcefilms.com.
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looking back
The Far Reaching Effects of 9/11
By Joel E. Gordon
Photo courtesy of Captain Scott Tamagny
O
n the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, I
was on a three year public safety
hiatus as a computer salesperson at
a Circuit City store located in Clarksburg,
West Virginia.
The uneventful morning consisted of
counting the money in our cash drawers
and preparing for the store’s opening.
As events began to unfold all sets
and eyes were tuned to the breaking
news; staff stood in awe and horror at
the clear, unprecedented terrorist attack.
At 9:03 AM, the sight grew grimmer-we witnessed flight 175, in real-time,
crashing into the south face of the World
Trade Center’s south tower.
The world seemed at a standstill.
Customers entered the store, not to
transact business but to join our glued
eyes to the ongoing events playing on
numerous TVs of different sizes.
I walked somberly to a register kiosk
to phone my wife at home, ensuring she’d
been aware of the happenings. I told her I
loved her.
In my memory, the events of that day
were only rivaled by two others. Walter
Cronkite had appeared on national
television to announce the shooting
and death of President John Fitzgerald
Kennedy. As a young child, I’d witnessed
the tears of my mother and my nation.
The second event occurred as I cried
while witnessing the death of Christie
McAuliffe in the Challenger disaster. I’d
watched the explosion from my living
room in Abingdon, Maryland, before
reporting for late shift work at the Crofton
Maryland Police Department.
Naturally, due to the sheer number
of people murdered and harmed, Sept. 11
was by far, the worst.
I honestly don’t remember much else
about my uneventful morning at Circuit
City, except for the obvious sadness, worry, and the terrorist events that followed.
However, 9/11’s impact on me doesn’t end
there.
Several days later, upon returning
home from work, I retrieved a phone
message from someone identifying themselves from Hurley National Bank, in
reference to a potential fraud alert. I returned the call to discover that someone
had ordered a Gateway computer. The delivery address: Far Rockaway, New York
(just east of the decimated World Trade
Center Towers). The financing had been
fraudulently completed with my personal
information used on a credit application.
I was told this was a commonplace occurrence on the heels of the destruction of
the World Trade Center.
My health benefits through Empire
State Blue Cross/Blue Shield had been
housed in the WTC, facilitating the loss
of my information.
Empire Blue Cross and Blue
Shield had been the largest corporate
headquarters housed in the WTC, the
fifth largest employer. They’d occupied
10 floors of the building, between 17
and 31. Miraculously, of the 1,900 plus
employees, all but nine employees and
two consultants survived.
I attempted to make a report with the
appropriate precinct of the NYPD, but no
one seemed interested in any sort of sting
operation to nab the perpetrators. My
experience and troubles were, of course,
nothing compared to the massive loss of
life suffered that day.
All of us in law enforcement have a
duty to always remember and never forget
the sacrifices made by our fire, police, and
EMS first responders. Many survivors still
feel the effects through continuing health
issues, and they need our support.
We must always do all that we can
to train, equip, and prepare to confront
terrorists and acts of terrorism now, as
well as into the future. Let us all work
to prevent acts of violence to avoid
further experiences such as those in New
York, Boston, Orlando, Dallas, Paris, or
elsewhere, now and always.
Joel E. Gordon is a former
Field Training Officer with
the Baltimore City Police
Department. As past Chief of
Police for the city of Kingwood,
West Virginia he has served as
Vice-Chairman of the Tygart
Valley Narcotics and Violent Crime Task
Force. He is a guest newspaper columnist in
the Morgantown West Virginia Dominion
Post newspaper. He is the author of the
book Still Seeking Justice: One Officer’s
Story. stillseekingjustice.com
Books by
Randy
Sutton
Available on Amazon.com
Contact Randy at www.thepoweroflegacy.com
and follow him on facebook
Randy Sutton News Personality.
10
up close interview
Louie D. Cacchioli
Louie D. Cacchioli was born in Borgo Val
di Taro, Italy. When he was 10, his family
emigrated to the U.S., settling in Astoria,
Queens. Louie joined the FDNY in 1982,
where he served as a member of Engine Co.
47 in upper Manhattan for twenty years.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Engine 47 responded
to the disaster at the World Trade Center.
Cacchioli was part of a four company rescue
team that responded to the tower. There he
was separated from his fire company and
single-handedly saved the lives
of 40 to 50 civilians by leading
them down a dark stairwell and
out of the tower.
Moments before the North
Tower fell, Cacchioli was helping an injured Battalion Chief to
safety--a moment that was captured by a Daily News photographer. Cacchioli was caught in the
collapse, barely survived and was
forced to retire due to injuries.
Several members of his rescue
team, as well as many of his close
friends, were lost that day.
The aftermath of 9/11 forced
Cacchioli to process the fact that
he was losing grip on his health,
as well as his career, but like the
phoenix, Cacchioli regained a
new life by rising from the ashes.
Cacchioli took part in the
project, Faces of Ground Zero: A
Photographic Tribute to America’s
Heroes, a traveling 9/11 photo
exhibit that featured giant lifesized portraits. His photo was
featured in numerous advertisements, which put a face on the
tragedy. Cacchioli’s portrait later appeared
in the Life photo-book: One Nation: America Remembers September 11, 2001. According to Cacchioli, “You have to see the glass
as half full and make a difference.” His journey continues. He is advocating, connecting
fellow firefighters, and even writing a book
to bring about significant changes--Soldier
of a War That Never Ends: A Memoir of a
9/11 Firefighter. It will be out soon. In this
12
NY Blue Now spotlight interview, Cacchioli
discusses his journey from 9/11 to present
day.
NY Blue Now: Do you find that
addressing mental health is a
difficult topic to discuss with the
groups you encounter?
Cacchioli: Yes, it is very hard; many are not
open to discussing it. The follow-through is
not there at times. I had been a firefighter for
over 20 years and there is a “macho” persona
that existed before 9/11 but lessened
afterwards, but it still continues. 9/11 was
a horrible tragedy that greatly affected me
and still to this day, strongly resonates with
me in different ways. When initially dealing
with the 9/11 tragedy, I lost my faith, but
talking to others and building a support
system helped. I have to be honest though,
if you told me to go to counseling before
9/11, I would have said that you have more
By Melinda Inzani
of a chance of winning the lottery. We didn’t
believe in that stuff, but after 9/11, the world
changed and we needed to change also. If I
tell my story and it helps two or three other
people, then it was all worth it.
How has 9/11 changed your life?
Before 9/11, I took many things for granted.
I saw things very differently. Terrorism
changed my life in a lot of ways. When
anyone experiences a traumatic event, fear
is common. After 9/11, I have been more
fearful for my family and
the unknown. I don’t worry
about myself as much as I do
for my family and friends.
For a time I questioned my
faith but later regained it.
The most profound impact in
my life would be the retired
firefighter survivors group I
attended. Hearing other men
talk about similar experiences
has helped. Listening to others
and realizing no one is perfect.
No family has it all together.
Also hanging out with positive
people made a world of a
difference. When I was around
guys that could bring out the
good and see the glass as half
full, it was a good feeling. It
feels more like we are coaching
each other, someone pointing
out something or explaining
things in a different way. Lastly,
I have to mention one other
big change, insomnia. Sleep
affects your whole day. Lack
of it puts you in a bad mood,
slows you down, and affects
your job performance. After 9/11, I was
plagued with horrible nightmares that made
it very difficult for me to get enough sleep.
Struggling with insomnia has been another
challenge that I’ve had to deal with.
Do you feel enough has been
done to address the health
concerns for those involved
with 9/11?
(Continued on bottom of page 15)
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13
gone but not forgotten
Wh Is
Nancy Eulalia
Perez?
By Julia Torres
O
n Feb. 12, 1965, in the province of
Pinar del Rio, Cuba, Nancy Eulalia, a light brown-haired, hazeleyed baby with a bright smile was born.
The doting parents, Berta and Mario
were elated with the birth of their second
daughter. Beyond excited was Maritza,
the first born who now had a real life doll
to dress-up. The family would be complete two years later when Yolanda, the
last little sister would arrive. However, as
picturesque as life appeared, the volatile
island of Cuba would force the Perez’s to
emigrate with their children and paternal
grandmother to the United States in 1970.
Throughout her American childhood, young adult,
and professional
years, Nancy’s life
consisted of entertaining much
loved family and
friends; the pursuit
of higher education for herself and
others; and endless desire for adventure,
whether traveling to exotic destinations;
creating characters and storylines for children’s books; or learning karate and sign
language.
From Union City, NJ
to New York City, Nancy’s
driven personality led her
to accomplish many employment successes. In July
2001, she’d earned a promotion with the Port Authority of NY/NJ,
where she’d been working at the World
Trade Center, North Tower, 65th Floor.
On Sept. 11, 2001, what’d begun as a normal routine for many who headed to their
jobs at either majestic tower, culminated
in a horrific act, an unprecedented dia-
14
bolical ideology that would end the lives
of thousands of innocent people.
What can be said of the family and
friends of the deceased? How did the
empty-hearted wage ahead? Are memories kept alive? Fifteen years later, the
Perez sisters relay a firsthand account of
how their faith, family, and friends helped
them through an incomprehensible period. Let us listen and acknowledge their
bravery in reliving their wounds on paper.
Recalling the trauma…
“The morning started off as a normal
day, but then my cousin Irma called me
at work to ask what floor Nancy worked
on. She was screaming uncontrollably. I
could not understand her, until everyone
in my office started screaming that we
were attacked. I still remember that phone
call. I will never forget the fear in her
voice that something was happening to
Nancy and we couldn’t get in touch with
her. I remember trying to get home after
I received the call, but with all the chaos
on the roads because both tunnels were
closed, I couldn’t get there fast enough. I
wished I could fly to my parents’ house.
Once I finally arrived, the first building
fell. I couldn’t comprehend what I’d heard
on the radio. What do you mean the
building fell? Then, when I walked into
my parents’ house and saw the horror on
their faces, my knees buckled from the
pain that overcame me. We just wanted
Nancy back. We knew if Nancy was okay
she would have contacted us, but the day
went by without any communication. We
kept our hopes high, praying and asking
God to bring her home safely, but a day
became a week and we still did not have
any news. Every time the phone rang, we
thought it was Nancy, but sadly that call
never came.”
Noting the recovery
process…
“My parents, my sister, and I gave
DNA samples to make a positive ID,
just in case she was found. In February
2002, I was at my place of employment
when I received a call from Marie, the
Port Authority Family Liaison. She said
that Nancy’s body had been recovered.
Marie picked me up at work to take me
to my parents’ house. It was the hardest
thing I had to do to tell my parents, but
the healing process began after so many
months of not knowing where she was.
They were thankful to be able to give their
dear Nancy a proper burial. Nancy, the
firemen, and policemen who were found
had the American flag draped over them.
The flag was presented to my parents;
I have it displayed in my home. A few
weeks later, we were given all of Nancy’s
personal items. All the jewelry was
cleaned, polished beautifully, and put in
a green velvet box. Port Authority made
sure we received all.”
On the loss of a child:
“Losing a child is the worst thing that
a parent can go through. My parents died
that day too. They walked around with the
look in their eyes that they wanted to die
and be with Nancy. My parents visit her
every week, multiple times. What keeps
them alive is having grandchildren that
need them.”
Defining gratitude
and difficulty…
“We are a very close-knit family
and thankful for everyone, especially
our husbands Don Knepper and Steven
Conti who were very strong for my sister
Maritza and I, as well as our extended
family and their children. Many family
members came from Florida to support
us. When 9/11 happened, we found out
how many friends Nancy really had. From
childhood to adulthood, they came to pay
their respects, sharing special times. We
were very grateful for the many friends
and strangers who searched for her in
New York hospitals. We had to stay strong
for our parents whose pain was extremely
difficult to see, knowing there was nothing
we could do to help them. Our world as
we knew it was destroyed forever. It took
years before we could see a light at the
end of the dark tunnel we were in, but
thank God for our big loving family who
never left our side, and showed us what
unconditional love is.”
are very heavy. Every year, our first cousins
Doris, Ana, Irma, and their children
take time off from work and school to
represent our family at Ground Zero. We
can’t thank them enough for knowing
how hard it was for our family to go there.
We just weren’t
ready. We finally
went after the 10th
anniversary. It was
very peaceful, but
in our minds, we
knew how much
devastation
had
occurred. They did
a wonderful job
with the 9/11 memorial, but being there
was very trying for our parents, my sister,
and I who knew that was where Nancy
had been killed. We’ve never returned, but
we visit her resting place and it gives us
peace knowing that she’s in a better place.
Thank God for our faith and strong family
unit that helps us. We just hope the world
could find peace and no more innocent
lives are lost.”
Keeping memories alive:
“On every 9/11 Anniversary, we visit
her where she was laid to rest in North
Bergen, NJ. It’s a hard day for all of us. We
relive every minute. Once I awake, my life
goes back to that fateful day. Our hearts
On any occasion, Nancy loved
making chocolate lollipops for friends
and family. Our cousin, Anita continues
making them in her memory, preserving
the legacy. My sister and cousins share
with their children how Nancy was very
active in their children’s lives. The family
No. I feel that more could be done for
those who have retired and their families.
There should be more programs. There is
always room for improvement.
What is something you have
learned from an insider’s
perspective?
Healing occurs when we all get together,
when we all communicate. I was one
of the founders of a survivors group of
retired firefighters that meets every
Tuesday. The guys come when they want.
It is reminiscent of us being in the kitchen
at the firehouse. It gives some closure to
how we all feel. Before 9/11, I lost two
close friends to suicide. They were both
going through a divorce. It is dramatic,
sometimes kids are involved and years
ago we did not have the counseling that
we do today. Things have changed and it is
important to encourage our brothers and
sisters to stay connected with each other.
You have mentioned counseling
is helping you. How were you
able to navigate the system?
I am married 42 years and my wife said,
“Honey I want my old Louie back.” I knew
I had to do something. I was in the right
frame of mind and ready to get help. At
times, I thought a counselor was not
paying attention to me or maybe it was
because I was not ready. I finally found the
right counselor. I was able to turn things
around and see things differently. I talked
On the anniversary date:
will always keep her memory alive in our
children and future generations. She will
never be forgotten, along with all the
thousands of other victims.
When a loved one is lost, the void
is felt, but in time, memories make one
feel greater, more special for having
known them. It is then that it is realized
that not having had them in one’s life
would have been be the worst tragedy.
One of Nancy’s favorite phrases was:
“It’s all in the details, details, details.”
Let us mimic her adage, making every
moment count, tending to each detail.
Things may never be the same again,
but memories last forever. May God
continue to be present with the Perez
family and friends.
Julia Torres earned a Master of Science
in Homeland Security with
a certification in Terrorism Studies from Fairleigh
Dickinson University; a Jersey City State College, K-12
Teacher Certification; and a
Bachelor of Arts from Rutgers University,
where she enlisted in the Army Reserves.
Upon graduating Rutgers, she began a career in law enforcement, and later volunteered for the Gulf War. Once home, she
worked undercover until retiring in 2001
due to a Gulf War illness. Since then, she
has done volunteer work, acted, and written two non-fiction books.
about what affected me and things that
have changed, life is not always peachy.
I know I am a changed and a different
person, but I try to take one day at a time.
Melinda Inzani is a clinical social worker who has
worked with multiple populations. She has authored
numerous articles, provided
trainings and has consulted
and lectured all over the United States.
Melinda has built a successful practice in
Midland Park, New Jersey. She is dedicated
to the communities she serves and has volunteered her time to several outreach organizations. For more information contact
Melinda Inzani, LLC at 201-704-6749.
15
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reflection
How
I Miss
You
By Michael Burke
I was there when you were being built.
My dad and uncle delivered the steel that
built you. I would ride shotgun and get to
wear a hard hat, watching piece by piece as
you rose to the heavens. As a young boy,
I played in your shadows, asking my dad
every time we passed you to pull over so I
could adore you. It got to the point where
I didn’t have to ask, he would just park and
I ran around for hours.
You were the co-star of one of my
favorite movies and your poster sat on my
wall for years. Even King Kong could not
defeat you. When we moved from New
York to New Jersey, I could see the whole
skyline from my roof--you justly towered
above the rest.
We drifted apart for a while, but
after high school, I got a job delivering
computer paper (literally hundreds of
boxes at a time). I always loved delivering
to you. I now learned about you from the
inside out... something years later that
probably saved lives. We parted again
when I became a police officer in 1987.
The mega bright lights and action of
Times Square pulled me away.
But I came back to you in 1992 when
I was assigned back to the 1st precinct. I
remember thinking how now I could see
18
you every day.
On February 26, 1993, they tried to
take you. I was the first inside working
my way down the garage ramp, level
after level, pointing people which way to
get out until finding the detonation site.
I remember I could no longer breathe
myself, and left you momentarily. After
catching my breath, I was back inside
the tower for seven hours, traversing the
stairs with two, three, four people at a
time in a panic. The staircases filled with
smoke in a millisecond, stuffing noses
and lungs, caking on lips and skin, and
burning eyes. Perhaps it was about 200
times each person told me their name, in
case they didn’t make it out, so I would be
the one to tell their loved ones. That’s if I
too had made it out alive.
Fortunately, all did make it out on
my watch including the woman, who
pulled me out as much as I did her. That
photo has appeared on magazine covers,
newspapers throughout the world, in a
documentary, and in many library books.
The video footage from that day appeared
in a full-length film.
I had injured my knee again at the
towers, which seemed insignificant at the
time.
I next was transferred to Staten
Island, the 120th precinct. There I saw you
every day, the majestic towers you were.
As you can figure out by now, there was
some sort of magic going on. I often think
that perhaps you were my spirit buildings?
Within the next few years, I would see
you now and again, but always knowing
we would be together again. I was
transferred to the court section straight
from injuries that reared up from the ‘93
attack--injuries that probably saved my
life.
My office was on Rector Street,
three short blocks from you. I stood in
your shadows, and I often sat in your
promenade eating and people watching.
On September 5th, I received a call from
my doctor, who said my surgery was set
for September 15th, but that it could be
moved up to September 8th. So I took
the new surgery date and went home, not
knowing it would be the last time I would
see you.
I was home recouping from surgery
when you were attacked. I was stuck in
Staten Island; I could not walk and had
my young daughter with me. I wanted
desperately to get to you. But, there was
nothing I could do for you or for anyone.
I sat there helplessly watching as all
my friends and other first responders
endeavored to save lives and you.
NYPD PO Michael Burke rescuing a distressed woman during the February 26, 1993 World Trade Center attack
By the time I returned to work,
there were two giant holes where you
once proudly stood. I was assigned to the
morgue. The towers didn’t want me there,
nor did I want to be there for that matter. I
retired just a few months later, due to, but
not limited to, injuries related to the trade.
I never gave you the goodbye you
deserved, nor will I. I can’t get myself to go
back, even though the curator of the 9/11
museum wants my photo and nightstick.
An honor for sure, but, nonetheless a
request I can’t fulfill.
You see, I’ve learned that your rise and
fall and rise again embody who I am--a
fighter, never quitting, and uniting departments and cities. For this and all the rest,
I owe you to come back. Maybe some day.
Michael Burke is a retired
NYPD Officer. Retiring in
2002 after 15 years of service
due to multiple line of duty
injuries. Michael worked in
various precincts in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island. He was also
assigned to Street Crime and the Narcotics
Bureau. He was a first responder during the
1993 bombing of the World Trade Center
and shares his experience with us here .
Currently, he is the Editor-in-Chief of
NY Blue Now, and President and founder of
Brothers Before Others a not-for-profit organization that helps officers and their families
during times of need.
b.b.o. News
PAPD Police Officer
Joshua “Moe “ Oliveri
and BBO member give
Duff of Guns N’ Roses a
Dallas Memorial hat
Members of The BBO Board gather for a photo at Family Day
Duff of Guns N’ Roses wearing a BBO
Dallas P.D. Memorial Hat
Cuba Gooding Jr. Supports Brothers Before Others
The BBO van outside of the BBO store
182 High Street, Nutley, NJ
™
™
™
nybluenow.com
19
feature interview
15 Years Later:
Bernard Kerik
40th Police Commissioner
of the City of New York
By George Beck
Photo courtesy Barry Morgenstein
Photo courtesy Barry Morgenstein
It’s been 15 years since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. In the aftermath of that horrific day,
leaders rose from the soot and debris—from all the chaos and shock— to lead our country out of one
of the most horrific episodes in her history. Former 40th Police Commissioner of the City of New York
Bernard Kerik was among them, helping us overcome the worst of it.
Early in his term as police commissioner, he oversaw dramatic reductions in crime and enhanced
community relations. But, it was his leadership during the devastating attacks on the World Trade
Center that defined his legacy. He supervised the rescue, recovery and investigation. Later, he became
a founding member of the Board of Trustees of the Twin Towers Fund, which raised and distributed
$216 million to over 600 families related to the emergency service workers killed on 9/11.
NY Blue Now recently sat down with Commissioner Kerik to discuss his experiences then and his
thoughts on the current state of policing in America.
NY Blue Now: What is the first
memory that comes to mind
from 9/11?
Kerik: The first thing that comes to mind
was the people that were jumping from
the tops of Tower 1. I had a feeling of
hopelessness, you could not yell at them
and tell them to wait for help or let them
know you’re coming to assist them. They
just jumped from the inferno, one, two
and sometimes three at a time.
20
Take us to the morning of 9/11.
What were you doing when you
heard that a plane had crashed
into the first Tower?
When the first plane hit Tower 1, I was
in my office and my Chief of Staff and
one of my bodyguards came in and said
that the plane had just slammed into the
tower. I went to my conference room
window and was able to see the building,
which was only about a half a mile away.
I called Mayor Giuliani and told him that
I would meet him at Tower 7, where the
city’s emergency command center was
housed. When we arrived at the corner of
West Broadway and Vesey Street, we were
unable to pull onto the block because of
the people jumping from the tops of tower
one, and the falling debris. Within three
or four minutes after I arrived, the second
plane slammed through the north side of
Tower 2 above us.
Where were you when the
Towers fell?
When Tower 2 imploded, the mayor and
I, and our staff were in an office at 75
Berkeley Street just three blocks north
of the Tower. We were trapped there for
nearly 25 minutes.
You provided strong leadership
but did you ever second-guess
yourself?
No, I strongly believed then as I still do
today that as a country we are stronger
than terrorism; that we will not cower to
its threats, and that we represent the good
over evil when it comes to anything or
anyone that would attempt to deprive us
from our freedom and liberties.
Any regrets from that day?
My greatest regret are the losses: 343
firefighters, 23 New York city police
officers, 37 port authority police officers,
and we have since lost many souls as a
result of 9/11-related illnesses.
What did you learn from your
experiences?
I learned that our city and country can
be extremely resilient when it wants to
be. I learned that we should never take
life for granted and live every day as if
it is our last. And, finally, I learned that
real leadership can get you through the
worst of times. I’ve watched so many
manmade and natural crises over the last
several years and the one thing that stands
between success and failing to respond is
leadership.
As horrible as the attack was,
did you see something that day
that motivated you to move
ahead?
One of the things that was extremely
motivational and inspirational to me,
the mayor, and others, was the family
members of those lost. In a time when they
were dealing with their own heartache
and grief, their words of support and
encouragement to the mayor and me,
and other city leaders was perhaps more
inspirational than anything else.
What can you say right now 15
years later to the families who
lost loved ones on that horrible
day?
I would say thank you for their sacrifices,
but more so for the service of their loved
ones who accomplished one of the greatest
rescue missions in U.S. history. We saw the
best and worst humanity on that day, but
I think quite often we lose sight of the fact
that New York City’s first responders were
responsible for evacuating close to 25,000
people from those two buildings, and
hundreds of thousands, out of Manhattan
into Brooklyn, New Jersey, Staten Island,
and Queens.
How did the attack change
policing in NYC and by
extension the rest of the
country?
It has changed policing in New York
City, and in the United States because
the threats of terrorism that we faced on
9/11 are more prevalent today than they
were then. Our local and state police
departments have to realize that and be
prepared for it.
Are police departments
currently equipped to handle a
large-scale terrorist attack?
Some departments are equipped and
prepared, and some are not. It really
depends on the leadership within the
government agencies. Mayors, governors,
and county executives have to realize that
the threats of terrorism in the United
States are not diminishing and it’s going
to be up to their local and state police
agencies to respond and address any act
of terror.
The country seemed lax, almost
sleepy before 9/11. Are we as
a nation asleep again and is
Islamic terror even more of a
threat now than before 9/11?
I feel that as time has moved on from the
events of 9/11, government leaders and
the general public become less vigilant
and lose sight of the real threats. It’s
unfortunate that we have such a short
attention span when it comes to things
like this.
As America learned of the
attack on Benghazi, what
were your first thoughts as it
pertained to the anniversary of
the attacks on New York City?
I was not surprised by the attack on
Benghazi, nor am I surprised by any of the
attacks on the United States either here on
U.S. soil or abroad. We will continue to be
a target of the radical Islamic movement
for decades to come. We must be prepared
for those threats.
How vulnerable is our National
Security on this upcoming
anniversary of 9/11?
We can’t focus just on the anniversary
of 9/11. The threats of terrorism to our
country are extreme and we have to be
prepared all the time—not just focus on it
on the anniversary dates.
George Beck is a police detective, writer and a Drew
University Ph.D. candidate.
He’s earned several degrees
including an associate, bachelor and two master’s degrees. He is the author of The Killer Among
Us (Noir Nation Books) and several other
books. His nonfiction and short stories have
been featured in magazines and anthologies nationally and internationally.
21
tribute
Hold the Door
By Lauren Fazio, Daughter of Ronald C. Fazio
I remember the
morning of Sept.
11, 2001, like it was
yesterday. My dad
asked if I was going to take the early
train with him into
New York City to work. At 21, it was my
first “real job” but wanting to sleep a little
longer, I’d said no, and he’d left.
Later at the office, I’d no sooner sat
down when my mom called. Crying,
talking fast, all I’d heard was father and
plane. Confused, I’d told her he wasn’t
flying anywhere that day. “A plane crashed
into the World Trade Center,” she’d said,
adding that she had talked to my dad, and
he was okay.
Once the call ended, I pulled up
CNN on my computer, and saw what
had happened. We thought it was some
sort of accident. I remember crying, coworkers around me telling me to go home.
My aunt called and said to take a cab to
Queens, where she worked at a school.
I walked out of my building to see
everyone on the street looking to the left.
Following their stare, I saw WTC 1 on
fire. By some miracle, I was able to hail
a cabbie who agreed to drive me. While
inside the cab, the second tower was hit,
and they both subsequently fell.
My uncle met me in Queens, and
brought me to his Long Island home,
where I waited for word on my dad, and
when the bridge would reopen, so I could
return home to NJ.
My dad had been on the 99th floor of
the South Tower. After his first call to my
mom to say he was fine, she’d called him
back to tell him to try to get to the Ferry,
but he’d sounded panicked. Then, the line
went dead.
While my family waited for another
call, co-workers called, asking for him.
They were surprised he hadn’t been home.
They’d seen him going in and out of the
building.
Hours of waiting turned into days.
Every day, my brothers went into the city
to look for him, putting up flyers. Then,
the stories started to come in. Colleagues
were telling us he’d saved their lives.
Through their accounts, we put
together his story: He saw the first plane hit
the North Tower. While announcements
were telling people to stay put, he’d yelled
at everyone to get out. At the stairway, he’d
held the door open for everyone to leave,
ensuring people on the other side of the
floor were leaving.
When he finally left, he lent his cell
phone to someone so they could call their
family. Once outside of the South Tower,
he hadn’t crossed the street when we
believe that the second tower was hit.
All we kept hearing was how my
father held the door for everyone.
Shortly after 9/11, I was at a mall
kiosk with my brother, Robert. We’d
wanted to get baseball hats made in our
dad’s memory, and were thinking of what
to have put on them. Suddenly, Robert
said, “Hold The Door For Others.”
That was the beginning of our nonprofit organization.
My family always talked about how to
keep my dad’s memory alive.
With Robert’s Ph.D. in psychology,
we made it our mission to be to help
empower people through loss or adversity,
and achieve their dreams. We put together
printed and electronic resources, hosting
an annual (10/15) Hold The Door Day
workshop, to teach people the skills they
need to grow through loss. Everything is
provided free of charge.
We have been doing this for 14 years.
Still, it is amazing to see how people are
helped through our organization. We
hope it’s a legacy my dad would have
been proud of. Although, we joke that
because he was such a quiet, humble man,
he would be so embarrassed by all the
attention he has received after his death.
If he’d survived 9/11, he wouldn’t
have looked for a thank you or praise for
saving lives. He just did what was natural
to him. He helped those in need and held
the door for others.
For more information on Hold The Door For
Others, please visit www.holdthedoor.com
22
Technology
Block Watch App
By Police Officer Christopher Peguero
We are constantly
aware
of crime in our
local areas; it’s
understandable
how people are
apprehensive
about reporting it. They waver
whether or not their anonymity
can be discovered, fearing repercussions should the perpetrators
know their identity. Unfortunately,
this means that a lot of crimes are
unpunished. However, there is an
answer. It comes in the form of the
clever app Block Watch.
This Block Watch app is available for download from the Apple
Store and Google Play, which allows
you to take a photo or video of
any criminal activity, and have
it uploaded to the app. It also
enables users to notify and alert
neighbors of occurrences in their
neighborhood.
Video recordings only take five
seconds to be uploaded to the app,
where it can be stored as evidence
of the crime. In addition, non-emergencies and hazardous conditions
such as, roads being closed due
to a fallen tree, or streets that are
blocked off during a snowstorm
can also be recorded. Moreover,
another example of benefit would
include a fight breaking out on a
street where children are set to
return from school. The recorded
video can then alert neighbors to
possibly take an alternative route.
After a crime, it can be difficult to
recall details that can be used to
convict a criminal without the need
of a sketch artist. In that case, all
you have to do is add the people
to the list you wish to share local
information with, so your friends
and family can be aware of a crime
taking place and avoid those areas.
Users are able to take a pictures
or record videos of vandalism to
public property, groups embarking
in antisocial behavior, a burglary
in progress and forward it to the
police so they can identify the individuals. Many areas do not have
enough law enforcement to provide coverage at all times. Folks can
then utilize this anonymous and
free to use app to report incidents
that may otherwise, go unreported.
Who better than neighbors them-
selves to be a watch eye for the
community?
People who now know about
the app who have witnessed crime,
or been unfortunate enough to have
been a victim have said how it could
have helped them greatly. Since the
release of Block Watch in January
2016, non-emergency incidents
have been corrected, and crimes
have been solved. It takes very little
time to download and could make
your neighborhood a safer place.
It’s simple use, and availability on
smartphones allows more of the
populace to report crime without
the fear of retribution.
NYPD Police Officer Christopher
Peguero co-founded Block Watch, a
20th century neighborhood watch
app, changing the way crimes are
recorded and reported. Wanting to
make the world we live in a better
place, Christopher worked diligently to ensure residents could alert
neighbors of nearby criminal activity without compromising safety.
This free, easy-to-use, readily available app can safeguard children
and families.
23
spotlight interview
Photo courtesy of Jim Keane
Interview
with
Jim Keane
By Julia Torres
Jim Keane’s forty year plus career with the PAPD/NJ began as a summer
job at the Bus Terminal. From there, his experience developed for
twelve years in operational positions at the tunnels and airports, World
Trade Center, and Marine Terminals. The last twenty-eight have led Jim
to work in Risk Management in the Treasury and Operations Services
Departments. He works closely with the PAPD, NYPD, and FDNY in his
Operational Risk Management responsibilities, and has been intimately
involved in a number of emergencies including the 1993 and 2001 World
Trade Center attacks. Jim shares his expertise of Public Administration
and Terrorism at four Universities. He sheds some light on terrorism
with us here at NY Blue Now.
NY Blue Now: Agencies, and
academia define terrorism
differently. What is your
specific definition?
Keane: I am amazed at the disagreement
which exists with the definition of Terrorism. I would use Forst’s definition: “Terrorism is the premeditated and unlawful
use of violence against a non-combatant
population or target having symbolic significance, with an aim of either inducing
political change through intimidation and
destabilization or destroying a population
identified as an enemy.”
How have terroristic methods
changed throughout the years?
Terrorism has evolved throughout the
years from localized small scale events
into transnational large scale operations.
Transportation and technology have facilitated the movement and communications by terrorist cells and organizations
and have facilitated larger scale operations. We have witnessed the evolution
of terroristic tactics from single gunshots
to automatic weapons, from small scale
bombings to large coordinated multiple
events designed to inflict maximum loss
of life and inflict horrific casualties.
very similar to how individuals become
fully integrated into gangs, which usually begins by disconnection of and
then severing connections with family
and friends. The isolation may also be
evident if the person was active in sports
as there is usually a change in the level
of participation and possibly total loss of
interest or intolerance. If an individual is
from a traditional family unit there may
be a noticeable change in attitudes toward
other family members related to religious
observances, diet, how females dress
and there may even be comments made
regarding alcohol use. Conversations
with family or friends that do take place
show little tolerance for other groups and
religions. Exhaustive hours of Internet
research may be noticeable as well as
extended periods of messaging with
“new” friends. Finally, behavioral changes
with compulsive obsessive actions may be
able to be seen.
Are we any safer now than we
were before 9/11? How so?
Sept. 1, 2001, occurred because terrorists
used our overall lack of communication
and coordination between and among
various Agencies responsible for intelligence. Following the events of that Tuesday
a paradigm shift occurred and now there
is much greater intelligence sharing and
joint operations between federal, state
and local law enforcement entities. The
experience that we have seen in the NYNJ Metropolitan Area with the number
of investigations and interdictions are a
testament to the coordinated efforts of the
men and women of law enforcement at
every level.
How much better is the new
WTC built against terrorist
attacks, whether explosions,
shock waves, or grid failure?
Do we have back-up in effect?
The new World Trade Center Complex
has been designed with all the learnings
of Sept.11, 2001. The construction design
philosophy utilized is for the maximum
protection of the building occupants and
Is there a way to determine
if an individual has been
radicalized?
Radicalization is such a complex process,
24
courtesy of Eddie Vega
To Advertise Photo
Call: 201.881.5100
visitors, enhanced emergency responder
communications capabilities and critical
systems redundancy. The complex has a
multitude of baked in security measures
to best protect those working and visiting.
How likely can there be an
EMP threat? What can be done
to prepare/protect ourselves
against it? Is there an Emergency
Response System in effect?
The US Departments of Energy and
Homeland Security are currently
working with our Nation’s power
suppliers regarding electromagnetic pulse
exposures. There are a number of different
protective options being evaluated. The
best preparation for an event where there
is a power loss is a survival kit and having
a personal emergency plan.
thousands and revealed to the world
how non-military people could develop
and deliver a nerve agent attack. Federal,
state, local police, and other agencies
have now gone through specialized
training in the detection and operations
in an environment that is Immediately
Photo courtesy of Eddie Vega
What do you recommend a
household should have in a
survival kit for each person?
Emergency Supply Kits make sense and
everyone and every household should
have one. I highly recommend that
everyone visit https://www.ready.gov/
build-a-kit and review the supplies,
maintenance, storage locations, food
preparation, car, and water requirements.
Emergency Supply Kits or go bags are
just a best practice in preparation for the
unexpected.
How can disabled persons
prepare themselves in the
event of a national disaster?
Our society has a number of special needs
members that can benefit greatly by being
prepared in the event of a local, regional
or national emergency. The Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention has a
webpage which provides greater details
and hyperlinks for more specific detailed
information.
http://www.cdc.gov/
features/emergencypreparedness/
In 1995, there was an act of
terrorism in the Tokyo subways
using sarin nerve gas. What
measures have been taken to
prevent that from occurring on
our turf?
The Aum Shinriko Tokyo subway Sarin
nerve agent attack on March 20, 1995,
was a change point internationally. The
cult’s attack killed eight and injured
relationship between
federal and local
partners in dealing
with all aspects of
this challenge.
Photo courtesy of Jim Keane
How can the
average Jane
and John Doe
analyze the risk
of soft targets
(mall, theatre,
sports arena…)
without it
affecting their
psyche or
lifestyle?
Situational awareness and having primary
and secondary paths for egress is of prime
importance for all, whether we are at the
mall, theatre, stadium, or on aircraft,
train, or bus. We need to think the what
if and what do I do to best protect myself and my loved ones. Our media, while
great in helping to get information out to
the general public, can also work to hyper
focus people on negative news events. The
best advice for everyone is to be knowledgeable of your location and how to
best extract yourself and loved ones if an
emergency occurs. Any emergency that
could occur… natural or manmade.
Saving
blue
lives
one
door
at a
time.
Dangerous to Life and Health. Since
1995 there have been major changes
in emergency response training and
exercises and a more collaborative
www.tab4life.com
25
exclusive interview
8-13! A Story of Survival and Brotherhood
William “Will”
Jimeno
O
n Sept. 11, 2001, several Port
Authority Police Officers stood at
the base of the burning towers and
courageously awaited their orders. While
waiting for volunteers, Sgt. McLoughlin
advised the officers that he only needed
those who knew how to use air packs
(SCBA). This would prove to be a significant
request; the rookie officers standing there
had the recent training, due to graduating
from the academy only nine months prior.
Knowing their responsibility, three of the
newly appointed officers bravely began
to call out “Jimeno, Pezzulo, Rodrigues.”
They later met up with fellow Officer
Christopher Amoroso, who had already
saved four people from the burning towers.
Sgt. McLoughlin led his men into a
corridor between Towers One and Two,
stopping along the way to pick up rescue
equipment and air packs. As the officers
prepared to ascend the towers, a large roar
followed by intense fire and violent shaking
consumed them. Sgt. McLoughlin yelled,
“To the freight elevator, RUN!” Tower Two
had collapsed, sending the team to the
pits of hell, where they would lay mortally
wounded and trapped for more than 13
hours.
In 2006, Oliver Stone released the
movie, “World Trade Center.” This blockbuster movie starred Nicolas Cage as Sgt.
John McLoughlin and Michael Peña as PO
Will Jimeno.
NY Blue Now: As an immigrant
from Colombia, what prompted
you to become a police officer
in the U.S.?
Jimeno: My parents, like many, came here
in the early 70’s to pursue the American
Dream, which they achieved through hard
work. Growing up in Hackensack, I was
always inspired by the Hackensack PD
on how sharp they looked and how they
helped many people. So from an early age,
I knew I wanted to be a police officer and
make a positive difference in the lives of
others.
26
By Joe Uliano
What does the code “8-13”
mean to you and how does it
relate to the BLUE LINE?
8-13 is the code for I need help now! It
means every officer who hears this is going
to be coming to the aid of the officer in
need. It also means that we will always be
there for our fellow officer, no matter what.
The code articulates the fact that our fellow
brothers and sisters will never be alone,
which is what the Blue Line is.
While you lay trapped, Sgt.
McLoughlin conducted a roll call
of your team and only you and
Pezzulo sounded off. Knowing
that two of your brothers did
not make it, what were your
thoughts as you laid there
severely injured?
I could not believe they were gone and
refused to believe it, so I yelled their names
for several minutes, ‘til Pezzullo said,
“Willie, they’re in a better place.” That’s
when I knew we just lost two brothers
in blue, two fathers, two husbands, and
most of all, two great Americans. It was
something I really do not have words for,
except a huge pain in my heart that I still
have today.
At the conclusion of roll call, it
was determined that Pezzullo
was not trapped, while you
and McLoughlin laid covered
in heavy debris and suffering
from severe injuries, McLoughlin
gave him the order to assist
you? What can you say about
Pezzullo’s display of courage
and unselfish desire to not leave
you and look for a way out?
Pezzullo, in my opinion, did what any
good cop would do, and that is never leave
a brother or sister behind. He embodied
what the blue line means by showing his
love to serve and protect, and to treasure
the love for his fellow officers. Pezzullo’s
unselfishness for his own life is something
I will always tell people about, and use as
an example for all other officers to live by.
Tragically, shortly after the
order was given, Tower One
would collapse on top of you
and your already battered team,
rendering Pezzullo completely
trapped and gravely injured.
Did you feel any regret or
involvement pertaining to his
unfortunate loss of life?
I did, since he was trying to free me when
he lost his life. This is a human emotion
that is natural and has taken me a long time
to live with. Yet, today I know he did what
he had to do and I would have done the
same for him. The only regret I have is that
my teammates did not come home, but I
am proud of their sacrifice. They lived up
to their oath to serve and protect. Due to
their actions and other officers like them,
more people made it home on that fateful
day than might have not.
What was your surrounding like
and how badly were you and
McLoughlin trapped?
I can only describe the hole we were in as
“Hell” but only a hundred times worse. It
was small with concrete all around, fire,
and immense pain. Conditions that I
hope no other person would have to live
through.
It has been said that you and
McLoughlin kept each other
alive as you hoped and prayed
for a rescue. What was the most
significant conversation that
kept the two of you fighting for
your lives?
Family, it was always about our families that
kept us going. I told him about my fouryear-old daughter Bianca, and how my wife
Allison was seven months pregnant with
our second little daughter. Sarge would tell
me about his four wonderful kids and his
wife Donna. We would keep them in the
forefront on why we needed to survive.
Also, our faith, as we prayed to God to give
us the strength to keep fighting and to help
us during our time of need.
Can you tell me about your
experience with Jesus and the
water bottle as you began to
fade away, due to your injuries?
Yes, being from Colombia and brought up
Catholic, I believe in God and Jesus, and it
played a major role in my survival. After
being crushed, losing three fellow officers,
having Pezzullo’s sidearm fire off toward
me, and being burned from fireballs, I was
ready to die and made my peace with God.
I told him, thank you Lord for my time
on earth and for allowing me to have a
beautiful wife, Allison, four awesome years
with my daughter Bianca, great parents
who raised me right, and for allowing me
to become an American police officer. I
asked God for two things: The first, was to
somehow, someway, allow me to be able
to see my youngest daughter born and
give strength to Allison. Second, I asked
upon reaching heaven, to have a bottle of
water waiting for me. It may sound funny
and it is okay to laugh, but you have to
understand we were caked in concrete and
I was so thirsty. That is when I closed my
eyes and had whatever you want to call it,
a vision, a dream, but whatever it was, it
saved me. I saw a man in a white glowing
robe walking toward me. He had no face,
but long brown hair to his shoulders and
in his right hand he was bringing me a
bottle of water! I knew it was Jesus and at
that point I woke up with a fire in my gut
and yelled, “We’re goanna get out of this
fucking hellhole or die trying Sarge!” It
stopped me from giving up, which is what
I was prepared to do.
As nightfall set in and you
found yourselves in complete
darkness you heard the words,
“U.S. Marines” coming from
above you. Tell us about that.
It was about 8 pm when I heard voices
in the distance yelling, “United States
Marines, can anyone here us?” I started
yelling at the top of my lungs and shortly
after that, I had two men standing above
us telling me they were U.S. Marines and
were going to help. It was Staff Sgt. Jason
Thomas and Dave Karnes. Both men had
come to the WTC to help in the recovery,
and somehow made their way into the
center of the destruction and found us!
They sent a third man that was with them
to get help. Unfortunately, I never had the
chance to meet this man.
It was an extremely intense
rescue operation to extricate
you and McLoughlin. ESU
Officers Paddy McGee, Scott
Strauss and Paramedic Chuck
Serelka placed themselves
in harm’s way during the
operation. What can you say
about these men as it relates
to unselfishness, sacrifice, and
brotherhood?
It would be an understatement to say they
placed their lives at risk, as they truly put
their lives on the line for us, due to the
raging fire that was coming from above.
Despite being ordered by their superiors to
leave us, they heroically decided to stay and
work. Nothing or nobody would stop them
from saving us. Again, here I found myself
surrounded by brave cops exercising
unselfishness and sacrifice. This shows
that there is more good in the world than
bad, and when evil tries to win, there are
men like Scott, Paddy, and Chuck, willing
to combat the evil. Our brotherhood is a
strong one and nothing will ever defeat our
love and support for each other.
After your rescue, your
road to recovery was a long
process, and the attack on 9-11
ultimately ended your career
as a police officer. How have
you been able to deal with
the loss of your career over
the last fifteen years and have
you remained in contact with
McLoughlin?
It was very difficult to retire and leave
behind a job that was more than a job but
rather, a way of life and a dream for me.
However, I made it a point to get back on
my feet and show others that even though
our dreams are sometimes taken from us,
we must move on and begin new chapters
in our lives. So I focused on my family, my
health, and inspiring others to overcome,
as Sarge and I have. I am very fortunate
to have a great relationship with Sgt.
McLoughlin. Our families are very close,
and it is a friendship I cherish very much.
Is the movie “World Trade
Center”, an accurate depiction
of what you and your team
went through?
Yes, the film was very well done and both
Sarge and I and our families felt that the
film showed what our team, our families
and thousands of others went through
on that dark day. We were lucky to make
it home, but the film’s real message is that
as Americans and as police officers, we
are strong and no mater what, we will
overcome. That message is one I want every
police officer to know today and everyday,
especially today as police officers are under
extreme pressure and a lack of support
from certain leaders. We will overcome.
Any final thoughts?
I want every officer to know how important
they are to their communities and this
nation. At a time that we have groups
calling for the death of police officers and
evil people actually killing our brothers
and sisters, we must unite and support
each other and never forget we are the
line between good and evil. Never forget
that without you there would be mass
chaos and this is a fact. I want every officer
reading this article to know that you are a
Hero and you are appreciated, even though
you do not get a pat on the back every day
or are praised in the media. We took this
job not for that but to make a difference,
and you do that every day you put on that
uniform. Never forget that!
This interview is dedicated to Dominick Pezzullo, Antonio Rodrigues, Chris
Amoroso, and the other 34 Port Authority
Officers that bravely lost their lives so that
others could live on Sept. 11, 2001.
Joe Uliano has served as a police officer for the last fifteen
years. During his time serving he obtained a bachelor’s
degree in Criminal Justice
from Caldwell University
and a master’s degree from Seton Hall University in Human Resources, Training and
Development. Joe is currently attending Seton Hall University, where he is completing
an Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree in
Educational Leadership, Policy and Management.
27
On the road
Dallas, Texas
28
Baton Rouge, Lousianna
Our flagship and sister publication NJ Blue Now hit the road to show support for Dallas and Baton Rouge Police Departments.
Traveling 22 hours to Dallas Texas and 19 hours to Baton Rouge, they made the journey in solidarity for our brothers and sisters.
Strengthening our commitment to officers nationwide many officers stopped by the van, sharing stories and memories with our
team. During this difficult time we stand and support law enforcement. We offer our condolences to all the families of the officers
senselessly killed by cowardly lunatics incited by irresponsible rhetoric and false narratives. Thank you Charile, Jeremy, and Alberto
for making this memorable journey and for working to strengthen the bonds between our brothers and sisters nationwide. United
we are stronger.
29
Sheriff Clarke Speaks Out
The
Three
Big Lies
of Criminal Justice Reform
By Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr., Milwaukee County
S
o-called “criminal justice reform”
is the latest attempt by the political
left to weaken our country’s legal
and justice system, and is utterly
destructive to the rule of law and public
safety. What’s even more distressing is the
fact that some conservatives have chosen
to tag along with progressives to take a
bite of this venomous apple.
A bipartisan bill, originating from the
Senate Judiciary Committee, is currently
before Congress that would reduce some
mandatory minimum sentences and lead
to the emancipation of violent felons
across the country. The bill also addresses
prison reforms and “mens rea” reform,
or working criminal “intent” into the
sentencing process.
“How appealing,” some of these selfdeclared law and order advocates are
thinking, “to demonstrate to the mainstream media and the progressive left,
that we truly care about the human side of
the scourge of crime across our nation.”
“Give non-violent offenders a chance
by keeping them out of prison or reducing
30
their sentences,” advocates of sentencing
reform lecture us in the police force.
“We can no longer ignore the cost of
our prison population. We must not turn
our backs on the families that are being torn
apart by needlessly harsh prison sentences
that do not make us safer,” Vermont
Senator Patrick Leahy said at a hearing
on the issue. Not once did concern for the
victims of crime cross his lips or concern
for the victims’ families torn apart by
crime.
And, “now criminal advocates will
give us credit for having a heart,” these
conservatives secretly hope.
Why would the GOP commit its
seemingly never-ending attempt at
political suicide and hand over one of its
only remaining trademarks as the party of
law and order?
And yet moderates, conservatives,
and libertarians, from Newt Gingrich to
prominent donors and even the Christian
Acton Institute, are wading, haplessly,
into a trap set for them by the savvy and
serpent-like left.
The problem here is that we are not
being told the truth. The support for this
Trojan Horse is based on three lies.
Lie number 1: it will only involve lowlevel non-violent offenders. Lie number 2:
it will reduce incarceration costs, and lie
number 3: it will reduce crime.
Lie, lie, lie.
I’m open to smart measures to
increase efficiency, but most of these
initiatives are pure social-engineering
experiments.
Recently, Newt Gingrich tweeted
out, “@JerryBrownGov’s juvenile justice
initiative would mean fairer justice at
less cost w/ better public safety. Deserves
Californians’ support.”
How embarrassing. Gingrich is just
parroting the talking points of soft-oncrime criminal advocates.
Not only are these dangerous plans
to embark upon, they have no effect on
crime or the lives of the “sympathetic”
criminal characters.
Just look at California: the Los Angeles Times reported that despite the state
book review
Review by Joel E. Gordon
Adversity is the
first path to truth –
Lord Byron
From her opening childhood chapter Friend Or Foe, to
her adult and military
years in Aftermath,
and Fork In The Road,
author Julia Torres begins to chronicle her
true life story in compelling fashion.
It is with great clarity that the book gives
the reader insight into
the feelings of pain and perceived blame resulting from being sexually assaulted on the heels of
her high school prom. Keeping at bay the demons
lurking inside, ultimately looking to escape this
part of her past, she volunteers for the Gulf War
after her enlistment in the United States Army.
Finding herself in a combat zone faced with
the ravages of war, she is lifted from a path of destruction, while overcoming a military culture full
of further sexual exploitation and abuse. She finds
her true self with the help of the few allies willing to stand up for her, in spite of a hierarchy that
routinely failed to take appropriate interest in the
issues at hand.
reducing its prison population by 30,000
inmates, it was spending $2 billion more
on prison costs per year. Not only that, violent crime increased by a massive 12.9%
and property crime increased by 9.2% in
California’s largest cities.
Criminal justice reform also removes
from the equation those most affected:
the victims of crime—past, present, and
future. For the most part, those who will
suffer are black, low-income citizens who
must bear the brunt of the fallout from
well-meaning but idiotic criminal-justice
reform advocates.
This bipartisan get out-of-jail-free
legislation won’t lessen costs whatsoever;
instead, it will shift the cost back to
the states when these miscreants reoffend, which they will. The non-violent
offender in prison is a myth and there are
real consequences to the shiny apple of
This insider’s journey through Operation Desert
Shield/Storm and beyond, is a fascinating view of
how a strong-willed woman emerges victorious despite repeated, multiple challenges to her health
and well-being.
Although the book is complete with a series
of pictures, Julia is a masterful storyteller. By going into great detail, painting images with words,
you can often visualize her remembrances as if you
were there. Julia’s skill in relating her story will result in your being taken through a full range of
emotions, including the anger, sadness, and disappointment that we all feel during our lifetime. In
the end, above all else, she will make you proud.
A must read for anyone wishing to experience
the personal growth, emotional journey, and triumphs of one of America’s brave soldiers. Julia Torres pulls no punches and tells it like it is. Hers is an
amazing story and expose’.
Still Standing: The Story of My Wars is book one
of a two volume series. Chapter one of the sequel
Bolder and Braver: My Undercover Life is included
in Still Standing, which picks up on her transition
to a subsequent career in law enforcement.
Still Standing: The Story of My Wars is available in paperback via amazon.com and Barnes and
Noble, or in hardcover or softcover through the
author’s website juliatorresstillstanding.com
criminal justice reform.
Stories emerged in January of the
case of Cory Lee Henderson of Utah,
convicted of possession of a firearm by a
felon, possession of meth with intent to
distribute, and possession of a firearm
during a drug crime. Henderson was
granted parole and handed over to the
Fortitude Treatment Center in one of the
hallmarks of “criminal justice reform’s”
idiotic “in lieu of incarceration” ideas.
Henderson simply walked away
from the facility and later ended up in a
shootout with police, killing one officer
and injuring another.
Anyone who says that incarceration
has no effect on public safety should then
explain the record crime declines of the
1990s and early 2000, when we started
to lock away dangerous career criminals
for longer periods of time. Think of the
people who are alive today because we got
smart on crime by getting tougher.
Congress needs to step back from
going over a cliff. They need to think
twice about linking arms with criminal
coddlers who are looking for uninformed
do-gooders to help them out in this social
engineering experiment. What these
movements do is go out and find some
unlikely supporter and push him/her out
front to give the Trojan Horse credibility
and believability. Don’t be one.
Sheriff David A. Clarke Jr. is the 64th
Sheriff of Milwaukee County and is
currently serving his fourth full term. He
has appeared on many of the national news
stations to defend the law enforcement
profession.
31
ask tanto
KRIS “TANTO” PARONTO
Discusses 9/11
NY Blue Now: Where were you
15 years ago on 9/11/2001?
Tanto: I had been accepted
into the Green to Gold Officer
Program and had recently been
discharged from U.S. Army Active
Duty to attend the Creighton
University ROTC program. I
remember walking to my military
science course and hearing from a
passerby that the Twin Towers in
NYC had been attacked.
While you were under attack
on Sept. 11, 2012 did you
think about the Sept. 11
attack of 2001? If so, what
was the significance of your
thoughts?
Actually I didn’t. The only things
that I was thinking of were to
protect my teammates, watch
for targets, shoot and kill those
targets, and work together as a
unit to find a way to get all the
survivors to a safe area and out
of Benghazi. My main focus was
NEVER QUITTING, no matter how
difficult the situation got.
Do you see our country
vulnerable to another attack
as large as 9/11?
Not on that scale. I think that was
a perfect storm per se. We as a
country allowed ourselves to believe we were invincible and our
leaders in D.C. from Clinton to
Bush and their administrations did
not take out Bin Laden when they
had the opportunity (Bill Clinton)
and did not see the warning signs
or listen to the intelligence community as much as they should
have (Bush). Now we as a country are constantly watching for a
large-scale attack, therefore, we
are not as vulnerable to that type.
What we are extremely vulnerable
to are the lone wolf or small scale
attacks that cause massive terror
and carnage. The terrorist, radical
jihadist and Islamists know that
we cannot defend against smallscale attacks due to the amount
of easy targets, (Orlando) and our
political correctness. Terrorists will
use the compassion we Americans
pride ourselves in against us.
If foreign terrorists were to
attack America, how do you
believe they will carry it out?
They will come into the U.S as
refugees and carry out smallscale attacks, similar to what they
are doing in Europe. France is a
perfect example of how they are
exploiting and utilizing a country’s
compassion to take in refugees,
without having the proper vetting
mechanisms in place.
Do you carry a survival bag
with you on your speaking
tour across America? If so,
what are the most essential
items one should have? If not,
why?
To be honest, I do not. Airport
security makes it difficult to get
items that I’d like to have with me
24/7 through carry-on luggage.
But, I do have a folding knife that
I carry, along with my passport. If
I’m going to a gun friendly area,
I will sometimes bring my pistol
and CCW. I know that if necessary
I can make an expedient field
dressing and/or tourniquets with
my clothing. The biggest strength
anyone can have is the mindset of
the ever possibility of being in a
crisis situation, no matter where
you are or what you’re doing, as
well as staying ever vigilant--that’s
half the battle right there.
The father of the Orlando
terrorist was recently at
a Hillary Clinton rally and
has stated publicly that he
supports her, claiming she will
be great for national security.
What do you make of this?
If she is elected President, we will
see more attacks on American soil
than we could ever imagine, and
guys like myself will look back at
all those who put her in office, as
the country is suffering, and say,
“we told you so.” Then we will
pick up our weapons, move to
the front, and protect those same
people against the terrorists that
they let flourish.
Benghazi Survivor & Motivational
Speaker, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, is
one of the most sought after speakers in the country. For Booking
Information or Media Requests,
contact Judy Landreth Wilkinson at
[email protected]
™
To ask Kris “Tanto” Paronto a question, reach out to NY Blue Now on Facebook. Your question may be selected.
32
NYBlue
NY
Blue now | Vol. 5 - Issue 2 2016
One Stop
Service Center
Law enforcement discount
91-12 188th Street
Jamaica, NY 11423
Tel: 718-454-9463
Fax: 718-454-9466
All “n” All
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34
35
Brothers Before Others
&
™
New York’s Independent Voice of Law Enforcement
Present
Night to Unite III
Honoring NYPD
Detective Steven McDonald
Thursday, November 10, 2016
6 pm - 11 pm
Astoria WorlD Manor
25-22 Astoria Blvd.
Astoria, NY 11102
Tickets are $105
Includes:
Cocktail Hour, Dinner, Open Bar, DJ, Photo Booth, Door Prizes
Come Out and Honor
Detective Steven McDonald
for the 30 years of brotherhood and benevolence
he has shown to the law enforcement community.
For Ticket/Table info call: 908-449-9400
or email: [email protected] or [email protected]
www.brothersbeforeothers.org
All profits from this event will be used to establish the Steven McDonald Scholarship Fund and help continue
B.B.O.’s mission. Brothers Before Others is a registered not for profit 501c3 charity.

Captain Kathy Mazza-Delosh

Transcription

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