Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

As I write this reflection my eyes are filled with tears. Not only tears of sorrow, but tears of pride. Although I will forever mourn the tragic and senseless loss of my brothers, I am proud. I am proud because they will forever be remembered for their heroic actions in life and not for their passing. On behald of the Chicago Police Department New York September 11th Detail, I say to the family of Santos Valentin....HAVE TEARS...TEARS OF PRIDE...OFFICER VALENTIN NOW WEARS A HEAVENLY UNIFORM....ONE THAT WILL NEVER BE SOILED OR TORN....

Investigator Melvin Roman
Chicago Police Department

Your death will be avenged and your heroism, bravery and sacrifice will never be forgotten!

My Prayers are with all the friends and family of all the officers who lost their lives on September 11, 2001.
I lost my brother tragically, Det. David Taylor, Greensboro PD, On August 7, 2001. I was in NY for my fiancee's Mother's funeral the first of Sept. I was stranded there for 3 weeks due to this atrocity. As I watched the events on TV, I cried for all those who lost their lives. But was especially emotional about the Police Officers and the Firefighters and their families, as I had just recently suffered a tragic loss myself. As I walked through the streets in the days following the attack, I cried with pride as I saw the officers on duty on all the corners in the city. I knew how hard it was for them, knowing they had lost their friends. On the Sat. following the attack I was at St. Patrick's for mass. The last 2 people to go up and take communion were 2 NYPD officers, again I cried. I hope all of you are getting the support that my family and I got when we needed it, from the Deparment. I know the comforting words and even the funny stories the officers tell us about my brother helps. I know that our loved ones who are gone from here, had a higher calling and are happy and at peace in Heaven. Hopefully we can all feel that same peace one day! God bless All of you! And God bless America!
Tracy Taylor
Thomasville, NC
Sister of Greensboro Det.David L Taylor
EOW 8/7/01

TRACY TAYLOR

I want anyone who reads this including all of Valentin's family, friends and colleagues, to know that at the University where I work, we have begun to post stars on a wall for each and every victim of the 9/11/01 terrorist attacks. To post a star, one gives a donation, which will be sent to the 9/11 victim funds. I posted a star today with the name of Police Officer Santos Valentin on it.
Though I never knew Officer Valentin, I know why he put on the uniform every day and went to work. I know why he ran into the building when everyone else was running out. He, along with each and every Emergency Services worker who was there, including those who did not lose their life, is truly a hero. Santos will always be such. I thank God every day for the angels that watch over us as we do this job. Godspeed, to you, Santos and the same to all of the rest of the folks who died on 9/11/01.

Officer Donna C. Hillier
Purdue University Calumet Police Department - Hammond, IN

Blessed are the peacemakers,For they shall be called sons of God." Matthew 5:9

Anonymous

As I watched the towers come down on September 11th from my home, I knew that many of my brother New York City Police officers had lost their lives. I knew many of them were in the buildings. I knew this because I knew something that the public found out of the 11th, and that is the Men and Woman of the NYPD are heroes, nothing less. Everyday they put their lives on the line to protect the people of New York City.
No member of the NYPD could sit back while people needed help, so these brave 23 NYPD officers along with their 47 brother officers from the PAPD, FBI, Court Administration, Secret Service teamed up with the brave men of the FDNY and in saving over 25,000 of their fellow New Yorkers gave their own lives.
These men and Women are truly heroes and not a day goes by now when I don’t think of them as I patrol the streets of New York City.
These men and women make me proud to be a Police Officer.
Their actions exemplify everything that is good about being a Police Officer.

God Bless them their families and god bless the NYPD.

A Brother NYPD Officer

God I don't know what to say. I intend to post this message for each and everyone of you heroes so Officer, Detective, Agent, Whatever,... I thank you. You swore to serve and to protect. Well your days of protecting us are over. But you will forever be in service. Your eternal service... the inspiration you and your fellow bothers and sisters have re-enforced in my heart, will live so long as I do. Though I will not always carry your name in the front of my mind, not in my duties as a soldier or as the police officer I plan to become when I get home, I will still always carry with me the knowledge of your sacrifice... of your heroism, of your selflessness... I will carry a samll piece of you everywhere I go. Be it with an M-16 in my hands in a strange land, or a badge on my chest in my own back yard... long after the flags come down and the nation carries on... until the day I die... you will continue to serve... as my inspiration. God bless you. God bless your family. God bless your agency. God bless FDNY. God bless all the soldiers, sailors, airmen, coast guardsmen, and marines. God bless New York City. GOD BLESS AMERICA. Thank you my brothers and sisters. I love you.