USA 9-11 This page is darkened in memory of the scores of police officers and firefighters murdered in New York City on Tuesday, September 11, 2001.

When a building burns and even the rats are running out, it is the brave firefighters who are still running in. In New York City, the firefighters were doing what the citizens expect them to do when their lives were taken from them in an instant.

In New York City, the Emergency Service Squads of the police department perform rescue services and for that reason there were many officers in the World Trade Center towers at the time of their collapse.

I still get a lump in my throat as I think of them as they struggled to save as many lives as possible.

Many people will commend them for giving their lives in the line of duty. It may just be a case of semantics, but let us not forget that their lives were taken from them in an act of murder.

It is with my most heartfelt sympathy that I extend my condolences to the many rescue workers who were injured, and to the the families, friends and co-workers of those who were killed.

As Americans, we should be proud of our firefighters, police officers and paramedics. We shouldn't wait for a tragedy such as this to appreciate their work and we should never take them for granted.

Updated: 17 October 2001
As of this writing, there are 346 members of the Fire Department of New York that are dead or missing. This includes the Chief of Dept., First Deputy Commissioner, Chaplain, 2 assistant chiefs, , 1 fire marshal, 18 battalion chiefs, 21 captains, 47 lieutenants, 252 firefighters and 2 paramedics. Virtually the entire FDNY web site is a memorial.

There are 23 members of the New York Police Department that are dead or missing, including 4 sergeants, 17 police officers and 2 detectives. The NYPD has a memorial page with photos of all of the officers.

It is not often mentioned in the media, but there are 37 members of the Port Authority Police Department that are dead or missing. This includes the Superintendent, 1 chief, 1 inspector, 1 captain, 1 lieutenant, 1 sergeant and 31 police officers.

Charitable Funds
The American Liberty Partnership is the official government web site which coordinates some of the authorized charitable organizations.

The Office of the New York State Attorney General provides an updated list of authorized charities providing relief. 

The United Way of New York City has set up the September 11th fund in which contributions can be made online.

Blood Donations
LifeSource serves the ChicagoLand area. To donate blood to LifeSource, call 847-298-9660 or 800-486-0680.
American Red Cross has facilities nationwide. To donate blood to the American Red Cross, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE
To give money to the American Red Cross, call 1-800-HELP-NOW

Police Charities
Concerns of Police Survivors Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., also known as COPS, is a nationwide non-profit 501(c)(3) organization providing resources to assist in the rebuilding of the lives of survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty as determined by Federal government criteria.
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund Please join the Memorial Fund in honoring the service and sacrifice of those involved in this tragedy. If you would like to share your reaction, or post a personal tribute, please Click Here. The mission of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund is to generate increased public support for the law enforcement profession by permanently recording and appropriately commemorating the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers; and to provide information that will help promote law enforcement safety.

Official Resources
DefendAmerica is the federal government web site describing current military and relief efforts nationally and abroad.
The Department of Defense maintains updated information and links to all branches of military service and their operations.
The Navy provides updates on Operation Enduring Freedom.
New York City Home Page
FBI the lead investigative agency's home page.

Other Resources
A powerful article by Leonard Pitts, Jr. of the Miami Herald.
America's Most Wanted includes updates on the wanted persons, as well as updates on the missing persons.
Control the spread of rumors and hoaxes by checking out anything that just doesn't sound right. I recommend: Urban Legends Reference Pages, Urban Legends and Folklore, or Urban Legends Archive.

Roger Bay
Chicago PD

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