Supreme Court Remembers Officers Lost on 9/11

Sometimes time heals wounds. For others it only makes the scars slightly less painful. For 10 years Americans have lived with the wound of 9/11, trying to make the pain ache a little less. 

A total of 2,752 New Yorkers perished that clear Tuesday morning, a figure which would have been more had it not been for the first responders, at a ceremony at the in Mineola Friday morning.

Sergeants Thomas Jergens, Mitchell Wallace and Captain William Harry Thompson were all present for the attacks on the World Trade Center.  Wallace forwent signing in, instead grabbing his EMT bag and heading for the towers. Jergens, another EMT would not leave the injured when he was told the situation was too dangerous.

“I was with Harry Thompson when he responded to the towers,” Sergeant Frank Barry, now a chaplain, said. “Harry didn’t hesitate for a moment. He knew that people needed his help and he was not going to let them down.”

Psalm 27, which Barry said was on Thompson’s desk was “a guide for how he faced his death,” and quoted from it during the ceremony:

“When evil men advance against me, my heart will not fear. From the day of trouble, He will keep me safe, He will set me high upon His rock, I will be lifted above the enemies around me and I will see the goodness of the Lord.”

As three candles were lit by court staff, 11-year old Merrick resident Patrick Boyle played a medley of “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” on the bagpipes.

The names of the three officers as well as the over 350 names of Nassau County residents were read by attorneys, court officers and family and friends as a silver bell was intermittently struck.

“Lets not forget the love honor, courage and commitment of the heroes who saved so many lives on that terrible day,” Barry said to those in attendance, asking that they pause “often” to remember those who sacrificed their lives to save others.

“Let us remember to keep their memory alive in our hearts and prayers,” Chief Administrative Judge Anthony Marano said.