FDNY and NYPD Honor 9/11 Heroes in New York City

On September 11, 2001, the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed, leading to the tragic loss of many first responders, including FDNY Firefighter Thomas Gambino Jr. His son, Thomas Gambino III, felt a strong intuition about his father's fate and decided to follow in his footsteps after attending his father's funeral. He joined the FDNY in 2004 and currently serves at Ladder 126 in Queens. The NYPD also faced significant losses, with 23 officers perishing during the attacks. Detective Jillian Suarez, whose father died that day, was inspired to join the force to honor his legacy. She became a detective in 2018 and works in the crime scene unit across New York City. Brothers Joe and James Vigiano also chose to pursue careers in law enforcement, motivated by their father's heroism as an NYPD detective who died while rescuing victims. James, who was only six years old at the time, has always aspired to be a police officer and now works in the 75th Precinct, where his mother once served. The Vigiano family continues to honor their father's memory, with their brother John, a U.S. Marine, considering a future in policing. These stories reflect the enduring legacy of 9/11 and the commitment of the next generation to serve and protect their communities, inspired by the sacrifices of their parents.